Xero sat at the corner of the cafeteria eating, we was worried about losing his time. He had woken up a bit earlier and went to the trash and let Ash eat until satisfied and left it with the orders to return to where he was when it was done but after more than 20 minutes it was still eating.

He wanted to get to class before the others appear since it was a pain and not even 5 minutes Ash appeared from the door and began to glow and returned to the seal.

Xero picked up his things and drank the last of his juice and left quickly and headed to class. Unlike normally he wasn’t the first one since Ash delayed him but he still sat in the same spot.

After a while the room filled up the and as custom the nobles would sneer towards Xero even when he didn’t pay attention.

“Today is biology class I believe. Last year it was study of the monsters of the world. I wonder what it will be like from now on.” Xero thought as he looked towards the door.

Just as he turned his attention, the old woman that announced that they could use the element zones walked in with a quick, perfectly distanced pace on short pointed high heels. Her nose was up in the air as she clapped her hand. “In your seats students! Quick! Quick now!” She said and fixed the position of her glasses. When everyone was seated she looked around at everyone and nodded, “I am Gloria Gilbody, you are to refer to me as Miss Gilbody, I am your biology teacher on monster biology and monster ecology and the inner workings of how each monster reacts to a different type of training.” She said and looked at everyone’s face. She took in everyone's expressions with a trained eye like a vulture and seeing if they were simply quiet or if they were bored she could tell the level of dedication each of them had. “Let us begin with the most basic question, what is the familiar, how did we, of the sentient races, discover this miraculous spell that can seal the soul of a being and allow it to grow with each death it suffers?” She asked and looked at everyone and seeing no one answering she pointed at a really short girl that was half the size of a normal human.

She was a halfling which look like children and their body never grow above 130 cm.

“Eh? Um… I don’t know…” She mumbled.

“Is there anyone that knows?” Miss Gilbody asked.

Xero sighed and raised his hand. “Yes you? Mister…” She pulled out a list and looked at him, “...Mister Null, please tell us what you know?” She asked.

“The familiar binding spell that is known today was discovered when the allied Crusade invaded the underworld during the Dark age when demons would invade our world. During that time countless men were killed but a large space near the entrance had the malevolent aura of the underworld pushed back causing demons to weaken under the aura of the Holy gods. Within this space the army discovered the underworlds spawning pools and although many wanted them closed the leader had the mage study it’s ability to constantly respawn the demons. That is how the Familiar binding spell was discovered as it is a spell that causes our body to form the familiar seal which acts as the spawning pool for the familiar.” Xero says.

“And of the summoning spell?” Miss Gilbody asked.

“The summoning spell has always existed as the Hero Summoning spell but once the familiar binding was discovered and perfected there needed to be a way to gather monsters with the best compatibility with each person safely. The archmagus studied all the known Hero summoning spells and found that monsters can also be summoned not only from our world but from others as well allowing unique monsters to be summoned. That is when the monster summoning was born. Following that the Magical formulas were discovered within monsters bringing us to the era of true mage that can use magic besides simply making small bolts of mana and other ineffective uses for mana.” Xero explained.

“Good, you may sit.” She said and Xero did as such, “As you all heard, Mr Null was correct in both accounts. The demon’s spawning pool is indeed the source of our most important spell and the summoning came from the ancient hero summoning is the source that bring the monsters. Now with this out of the way, let us get to the biology of the monsters that you all have contracted with.” She said and turned before sitting down at the teacher's desk and pulling out a page containing the list of student names with the race of each familiar.

She looked through it quickly and her eye stopped in several unique ones that are from different worlds and some strong ones from this one. All familiars were within the levels of 1-4.

“Miss… Domina please come up and summon your familiar.” Mis Gilbody said.

The little halfling flinched upon hearing her named called but then stood up and walked to the front and summoned her familiar.

What appeared was a small white and black bear cub that was no bigger than a puppy. He blinked and yawned showing the toothless mouth.

“This is known as a Panda, it is an animal some may be familiar with and it is from a world that previously had the most cases of summoning heros. Within our world it will follow our rules and although it is a common animal at this time it will become a monster in a short time after receiving mana from Miss Domina. Miss Domina, please tell me a bit about this bear?” Miss Gilbody asked.

“I...I don’t know…. I haven’t… gone to the library yet.” She said.

“Alright, how are you feeding this cub and how much?” the teacher asked.

“Um, I fed it yesterday on professor Grunts orders… he said 3 liters of Satyr milk and its supposed to follow until the fangs are born and by then I should know how to continue.” She replied.

“Good, as you students should be aware, not all familiars are born large enough to eat complete meals, some require a period of milk before weaning and then introducing their natural food habit. A Panda is a bear that lives off a plant referred to as Bamboo by the summoned heroes. These are long flexible plants that look like common fishing poles used by commoners but much longer.” She said and opened a magic bag and pulled out a cut sample. “This is the Magus Bamboo, it’s a magical tree and the source for mystic sugar that helps those who drink tea or other beverages improve mana circulation.” She explained.

Xero scowled as he heard this explanation, this was the main reason he was a source of bullying. His family was unable to buy such goods due to the cost both to grow and to buy while even other commoners from low ranking merchant families were lucky enough to travel and find them.

“Miss Domina you may recall your familiar and sit down.” Miss Gilbody said and the little girl returned to her seat. “Mr Liquivet, please come up and summon your familiar.” She said.

Chad stood up grunting and walked up and called the fire ant. Although the ant is considered level 3 which is high leveled, it is powerful in swarming because of its size. A full 20 cm long and it stood 7 cm from the ground to the highest point of its body. That said it lived in areas filled with volcanoes so its body was dark red showing both it’s magic affinity and resistance.

“A Fire ant soldier, a monster considered a pledge of the fire lands. Mr Liquivet please tell us about eating habits and growth of this creature as well as their strengths and weaknesses.” the teacher asked.

“The fire ant soldier boasts strength capable of lifting 100 times its weight like all ants but due to its size it weighs 2 kilos allowing it lift up to 200 kilos. They have fire resistance and can be bathed in flame without getting injured and powerful members can use fire magic. They eat anything from meat to trees due to living in harsh conditions but they always bring it back to the nest for it to be prepared and focus is given to the queen ant.” He said

“Correct, you may sit.” She said and looked at the list. “Miss Crost, please come up.” Univa stood and walked up summoning the Blue Winged Salamander. “Now, tell me what level is your familiar, its strengths, its weaknesses and the magic affinities that gave it its unique features of having blue scales and wings.” She asked.

“This salamander is a level 4 monster, it has strong muscles and normally uses the tail as a whip and can use magic from an early age due to the dragon blood. It is weak to water magic and it prefers to sand bath and some even bath in rivers of lava. They have extremely high fire resistance due to the fact that their mana affinity comprises of Fire and Air magic which causes its flames to be a rare blue color which is hotter then the lava making the heat inside their body higher than outside. The wings are a result of the air magic affinity and dragon blood.”

“Correct, please sit, next is…”

She called the next student and like this each student was called and asked a set of questions pertaining to the creature they possess. Finally called last was Xero who walked up and summoned the Imp which quickly drew stares.

“Hey, doesn’t it look really different?” Someone whispered.

“Yeah, look it gained muscles and its face is even looking smaller.” Another student said.

“Silence!” The teacher said and looked at the Imp curious since she had never seen Imps take to human features so well. “Mr Null, please tell us, how much does an Ash Golem eat until satisfied, what are its eating habits and what are its magic affinities they possess. Also what is the prime location to train an Ash Golem.” She asked.

“I’m not sure the exact amount but it eats anything and I was told to feed it the trash left over from what is served in the cafeteria, it takes him around thirty minutes of eating to satisfy his need if I order him to eat until satisfied. Until now I have only discovered demon fire magic. The best place is volcano areas that mimic the underworld but Imps are creatures that are said to have unlimited potential so they are said to be capable of gaining the most out of any location.” He replied.

“Good, one more question, I have personally never seen an Ash golem with such human like features, what did you do?” She asked.

“I’m not sure, when I summoned it two days ago it couldn’t even walk and I was told to let it read my memories of walking for it to learn. After that was the classes yesterday and then the first time I fed it and in the afternoon I took it to the volcano training zone where I trained its magic and when it died the first time it underwent a large change due to the energy from the food possibly being processed.” He explained.

“I see, there doesn’t seem anything strange so it’s possibly just the creature itself, don’t worry about it now, you may be seated.” She said and he recalled it to the seal and sat down while she stood up. “Now that you have showed me some of the knowledge you possess or that you lack you know that you must study up more. Even if you know about your creature you don’t know everything. Important things like habits, controlled training for specific results and not to mention future evolutions. The common ones are easy to know but the unique rare ones which is what every mage must strive for is the what you need to learn about. By next class I want you to learn more about the future evolutions of your race. I also want you to try and do unique things with it. A special training you yourself can teach them or impose on them.” She said.

At this time the bell rang and class ended.

“Remember your work and if you haven’t been informed yet, your next class is familiar combat training. You are to head and wait at the portal to the training zones.” She informed the kids and picked her things up and left.

The class soon filed out after everyone stored everything. The others were talking excited and like usual Xero would always keep a ten to fifteen meter distance from the rest of the group.

Eventually the class gathered at the portal. Like the previous day there were a number of classes because outdoor classes are done in mass.

Standing in front of everyone was Grunt and three other people.

“Everyone is splitting up in four groups depending on your familiars rank! Split up now! Level 1 at the far left, followed by the others grouping up in each group afterwards towards the right.” Grunt shouted.

Xero walked to an area with lots of people and with a question he found it was the group for level 1. After a while the groups were formed and looking at the level 4 group there was only a few dozen. Level 1 and 2 were most abundant and 3 and 4 were far less.

“Good, now that we are all in groups I will explain class. Today we are hunting, some of you must have already done so yesterday but we aren’t going to do what you brats did. First Rule of this class, this is hunting for both Master and Familiar. When hunting, the familiar must be hunting and doing things as the master ordered. Any free willed hunting won’t count. Rule Two, you will all gather a token, a piece of the body, from the hunt and you can’t let your monster immediately eat the catch. You need to learn to suppress their nature and train them to follow yours or else they will eventually start ignoring your orders if you’re weak willed. Anyone with infants should form a group with someone that has a combat worthy familiar.” He said.

Slowly the crowd began to move about as those with infants began to search for someone to partner with.

“While you all look, I will explain the objective, this is a kind of test, each level of group will be sent directly into either the first or second layer. You can only hunt monsters of your own level if your level is 2 or higher. If you can kill a monster of higher level than you will gain extra points at the end. Now, your objective is to obtain 100 points, killing something of your level fetches you 1 point and killing something a level higher will get you 1 point each level. Level 4 group will get 4 points each kill and can’t hunt level 5 or above due to the danger that exists in layer 3. The score will count as your school work score. You have until lunch to complete it.” Grunt said.

“Sir! What kind of environment are we going to?” a student asked.

“You all are going to be teleported to the forest environment, this place will test your skills to spot and hunt animals in tight places with many places to hide. You will also need to be cautious of magic as well, those who make their familiars of material not present in this region you should be careful because it would take much longer for your familiar to regain his body once it can be summoned once more.” he warned them and his eyes met Xero’s for a moment before his eyes moved away. “Now then, each of us will take one group, for me I will take the Level 1 group because it's the largest and if need be I am the most competent to reach and protect such a large number of students. Obviously we will not move in one massive group and each will get a magic protection charm. The other three groups will be lead by one of these three.” He said and gestured behind him.

The three introduced themselves as Grunt’s assistants and disciples they summoned their familiars and shockingly they were only support type creatures. One was small fae that was gripping a Princess Daisy, which is a magical herb with amazing restorative capabilities, another as a strange floating red rock that radiated heat like the sun and seemed to have a strong purifying effect around it and the last was a floating golden key the kept floating around the head of its master.

Each one took one group and strangely the one with the key took the level 4 group.

“Alright, we can go out.” Grunt said and turned and did a bow to the old man who nodded.

On the archway a weak glow appeared above it and the portal turned green before opening up to a large forest.

“Entrance portal in Layer 0 is open groups 1 and 2 may enter.” He said and put his hand into his magical bag and withdraw a magic protection charm.

“Follow me and each one of you take one charm.” Grunt shouted and took one himself so that he could use it to exit the training area.

Group 1 soon followed and each passing, bowed to the elder and took the charm. It was customary as taught by the school to respect this old man even above the principal but no one knew why.

While Xero waited he felt a little tug on his shirt and looked back to see the halfling girl. Although she is a halfling, because she is still a child she is smaller than him. Xero is 11 years old and so is she but due to her slow growing genetics she looks like a 7 or 8 year old making her much smaller than others.

“Do you need something Meldie?” Xero asked.

Meldie is her first name and because one of the few people he doesn’t have conflict with due to her gentle disposition.

“Um… is it possible for me to partner with you?” She asked shyly.

He thought a moment and smiled before putting his hand on her head and patting. Her eyes close half way as a small smile appears on her lips. “Sure we can partner up.” He said.

Hearing his words she looked up and noticed what was happening and flinched before hopping back and covering her head. “D-don’t d-do that.” She murmured shyly and blushed.

It’s unknown why but halflings possess a weak spot for petting their head, it has been something they try to avoid because they love it but because of it they are treated like kids.

“Just like they say, petting halflings does heal you.” Xero chuckled.

Eventually the two got a charm and entered and in front of them they found Grunt and move beyond him were many people going in different directions.

“Boy, good you're here, this is a big test for you. Don’t let your familiar do all the hunting and control it, understood?” He shouted.

“How do I do that without warning the prey?” Xero asked and received a hit on the head.

“Through your mental link you numb skull or did you forget that as well? Now get going, you have only three hours for lunch, don’t go blowing up your familiar either because the time it takes for it to rebuild itself is long and it would cause forest fires.” He said.

Xero rubbed his head and nodded before he walked past the old bear with the little halfling walking behind him. In the starting layer there wasn’t much underbrush but there was trees and the sunlight had some trouble to reach the ground.

Before reaching the first layer he summons Ash. “We are hunting, keep a lookout for animals, if you spot, smell or hear one don’t pounce, warn me first, if one ambushes us attack. Make sure that she is safe.” Xero says.

Ash looked towards Meldie then back to Xero.

They start walking further into the forest and when they feel the mana get denser they also notice the underbrush growing denser making movement get harder. Xero removes his sword and swings to slowly make a path but that was rare since the trees weren’t that close and only had large branches is all.

After half an hour Meldie began to grow tired.

“Can… we rest…” She said huffing.

Xero looked back and the sweating girl and sighed. He pulled the collar of his shirt and to unstick it from his body that was sweating. He had already removed the robe and vest because the forest is a humid environment. Backed by the heat from the sun it made it a hot tropical place.

“Sure, we can rest a short whi…” Just then a strong mental stimulus came from the seal and he looked at Ash who was at the ready while it’s ears twitched and it was sniffing the air. It’s head moved left and right before it’s face pointed towards the left side and it growled.

Xero looked over and pulled Meldie behind him, “Be careful something is here.” He said quietly.

Given his strength he wanted to provoke whatever was hiding out so he slowly crouched down and picked up a rock and through the mental link he said, “When the monster attacks intercept it.”

The order given, he moved the rock to his right hand and the sword to his left and with a strong pitch the rock flew right into the bushes.

“Groah!” A yelp came and suddenly a spotted figure jumped out with shocking speed. Covering half the distance it then jumped towards Xero.

Bang!

A dark figure slammed into it’s side and clawed at the face and tried to bite into the neck but the hide was strong. Though the clawing left a large gash on the face over one eye the monster fell sideways and suddenly sprawled and then curled up quickly and kicked the body of its attacker.

The one that attacked was obviously Ash but when Xero saw the monster that attacked his eyes widened and his pupils shrank.

“Level 2, Spotted Razor Fang Leopard.” He muttered.

Ash got up unfazed by the kick and it started to sniff and looked at the Leopard and grinned before licking its bloody claws. It was prepared to attack before Xero stopped it.

“Let it come first, then jump to the left to dodge before attacking from the side and tipping it over again and clawing it.” He ordered it through the link and slowly pushed Meldie back. “Slowly walk back, be careful to not trip.” He said softly and she looked back to carefully move back. The Leopard was circling Ash and his head slowly followed it. Every three seconds he would sniff the air because the feline didn’t make much sound but it probably still heard something.

“GROWAH!” he suddenly roared and moved like lightning as it attacked and Ash faced it before jumping to the left and doing as Xero told. It dodged the jump and then turned to ram it once more and clawed at the front leg and the chest under the ribs. It made two sets of huge gashes that started to bleed out but like before the Leopard kicked it off but this time it suddenly advanced.

“Roll to the right and get up then jump up quick!” Xero ordered and just as Ash hit the ground he stabilized himself and rolled to the right and got up quick and jumped up dodging the paw swipe. Because it happened so suddenly the Leopard didn’t notice he jumped and a moment later he fell on it’s back. Following the new orders, “If you land on its back stab your claws into it and grip down strongly, than saddle it and tire it out.”

Although the landing was a bit off from the proper sitting position almost falling off once it clawed into the back of the leopard he fixed himself and clawed into its side. At once the Leopard began to buck and roll but Ash remained on because the claws were firmly in the back.

“Claw the eyes!” Xero ordered and Ash removed one claw and pulled the other making the Leopard roar in pain before it swung its hand clawed at the face.

In a very short time the face became mangled and even the eyes had burst due to the clawing and finally the level 2 beast fell over. Quickly Xero said “Don’t eat it!”

“We won!” He said sighing.

“Wow, I didn’t think the imp was so strong!” Meldie muttered.

“It’s not, this is human’s greatest weapons, you need to make strategy.” Xero said and stood out from the tree he hiding behind. The leopard had taken Ash a distance and he had been following while remaining out of sight. Now with the beast dead he walked up.

Meldie trembled seeing the body but Xero had seen dead creatures before. Being a commoner his family hunted once or twice before so seeing a Level 1 or 2 monster dead wasn’t something to difficult. Opening the jaw Xero removed an incisors that were the token for felines and canine.

Storing it he sighed, “You can eat it but don’t use magic to self destruct.” He said and turned making sure Meldie turned as well and allowed Ash to eat.

“Well that was a rough start.” He muttered.

“I wonder why a level 2 is so close to the edge?” Meldie asked.

“There is nothing restricting it, it’s a predator and this is supposed to be the home for the herbivores so they come to hunt.” Xero said and looked back seeing the body already half eaten. “We should be more careful, this is a good time to teach you and your familiar a few things about the woods I guess.” He said.

“Eh?” the halfling looked shocked.

Xero turned and picked a small plant and smiled, “Just so you know, you can look for this plant when you need a natural healing paste.” He said. Like that he began to show surrounding plants that were medical. He explained the details of how to identify and he also stored a few.

After that he recalled the Imp causing the blood on its body to be cleaned off somehow and they continued on.