Chapter 16: First Class

Elias and his friend are unpacking his luggage as I come inside the room. His peculiar and sparse belongings have a minimalist and tribal feel to them. A tooth-shaped lamp, bone carved pens, leather books, stuff like that. And wow, fur bed sheets? Those look absolutely comfy though.

“Hello.” He nods towards my greeting and his friend just ignores me completely and gets back to unpacking luggage. Uhh, did I do something? I look to Elias who shrugged his shoulders at me.

“Well, uh, can I help you with anything?” He shook his head so I just awkwardly laid in my bed for a few minutes while they cleaned up before pretending to be asleep just to avoid the deafening silence created by my non-speaking roommate and his snubby friend.

[POV ???]

*bang* “Do you realize what your stunt in town cost our guild? Small jobs! Small! Jobs! What’s hard to understand about that? Now the Union’s put us on its map and they've doubled the security on our areas of operation!” The boss’ words reverberate through the deathly quiet hallway almost like the roar of a wrathful beast.

A young man is kneeling in front of him, shivering in fear and guilt as he tried to withstand the pressure currently being forced down on him by his own father. That moron would’ve gotten in trouble for being too hot-headed. Did he even check why that job had a high bounty before trying it? That vixen’s going to have a field day with his stunt of his, she might even steal his seat from him.

*clack clack clack* Well… speak of the devil.

Footsteps echoed through the room as a petite figure walks slowly towards the boss. Wearing a pitch-black turtleneck dress and stiletto heels with her purple hair flowing around her antlers and down her back, she exudes an aura of maturity and authority just by her appearance and demeanour alone. An entrance fitting for a minx.

She spoke with a pleasant and melodious voice, “I apologize for my tardiness, Father. I had to take care of some matters before coming here.”

“That’s quite alright, Fawn, have a seat here. I assume you’ve already heard of your brother’s stunt earlier?” Fawn takes a seat beside the boss and you can just feel the kneeling moron glare at her with indignation.

“Did I tell you to raise your head, boy?” Pressure increases once again and the boss’ son almost kisses the floor due to it. “We’re not done yet with you.”

“Father,” Fawn called out, “I’ve already taken care of the aftermath. You don’t have to worry about it being traced back to our guild.” She glances quickly at me with a knowing look.

Ohoh, so that’s why you had me cause a voidout on the other side of the town, sneaky lil s##t used me as a distraction. Still, though, it’ll limit their operations since the Union and its affiliates will definitely hound down on every little crime for a while.

The boss looked surprised but mostly pleased, towards her initiative. He praised her immensely and chastised his son just as much, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew she’s doing this for the succession and the young boy was still his son, no matter how stupid he was now.

“Raise your head, boy.” The young man raises his head, revealing the tears shed by the earlier exchange. “I’ll be sending you to Pyllar, you’re going to attend the Union over there and oversee the operations within that branch. Understood?”

Huh, Pyllar eh. From what I’ve heard they’re a bit militaristic there, and their Union is more so. Pyllar is another region that’s a part of the Monument alliance, named obviously after their deific stone that projects a region-wide barrier for protection. Our Obelysk is a part of that alliance, along with Bastyon and Pyer.

“You can't do that Fa- Aghk!” Cracks started forming underneath the boy as he was forced down once again. “I wasn’t asking for your opinion, I asked if you understood. I have given you many chances in the past, this is just one of the few that built up the mountain of disappointments you have offered to me. Now, once again. Do. You. Understand?”

With every word, his father’s statement further forced him downwards without the need of increasing the pressure on him. He weakly replied with disinclination, “...yes, Father.”

Well, that does it. She’s going to use this chance to pander more to him. If it wasn’t for his cunningness he’d have fallen to that girl’s tricks by now. The meeting concluded with a few lackeys dragging his son out of the room.

As everyone left, she approached while sporting a mischievous grin on her face. “Well, that was quite a show. To think you’d immediately capitalize on his stunt earlier.”

“Well, theoretically, when a hot-headed moron like him gets a little 'push', he will cave in easily like a tower of sand. Theoretically, someone might have suggested the guarantee of his position by completing the high bounty job.” She winks at me before walking away. “Oh yeah, thanks for earlier. That distraction sent guards in disarray, it was easy pickings for me and my men afterwards. They won't have any incentive to find us since all the little imps have been returned. Oh, and I’ll find that little blonde girl for you, don’t worry. I owe you more than that after all.”

“I told you, you don’t have to. Just leave it.” She waves back nonchalantly before exiting the hall. Well, time to lay low for a while. Maybe I should find a proper job in the meantime? Criminal-for-hire doesn't look good in a resume though.

[POV Cas]

*thud* A sound similar to a heavy sack of sand falling to the ground startles me awake. “Not again…” I sighed and sat up the bed to look over the unconscious body of my roommate sprawled out on the floor. I reach out to shake him awake but was reminded of the previous time I did that.

I threw a pillow to him and used to repeatedly hit him with it. “Dude, wake up.” He grabbed the pillow mid-swing and threw it forcefully towards the wall. Glad that’s not me this time.

“Ughhh- what?” He raises his head, looking around him before settling towards me. I give him an annoyed look and he just thumps his head back onto the floor. “Ughh..”

Grumbling, I laid back down on my bed. “Yeah, I told you we should switch beds.”

My phone alarm rings out not even a second after making myself cosy with the covers. “D##n it...”

I sat up once again and see his sleeping body accompanied with the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest and the droll rolling down his cheek. Why do you always seem like a different person in the morning?

I got up, stretched, and went through my morning routine, running through the campus and grabbing breakfast before I got back. As I walked through the hallway after my workout, I see Adira standing in front of the door to our room wearing a uniform. Adira’s the hihant girl that’s always with Elias. Her skin’s a darker shade than Elias’, coupled with her short black hair she looks a bit like a tomboy.

Contrary to our initial meeting, she’s actually a nice and sweet girl. She’s just a bit overprotective over Elias but she gradually opened up to me after a while. She’s more of a maid, to be honest. She cleans, brings food, and generally takes care of Elias all the time. Lucky bastard.

“Mornin’ Adira. You’re here early?”

I grabbed my phone and unlocked the door for her. “Good morning, Cas. It’s the first day of classes, I need to help mis- Elias, I need to help Elias prepare. You know how he is.”

*click* “Well, yeah.” I gestured to my still sleeping roommate and she scampers to wake him up. Why doesn’t she get thrown to the wall? Double standards!

I go for a shower to clean off sweat and as per usual Adira’s already dragged Elias somewhere else. I wonder where they go to since the Union’s on a semi-lockdown right now. Going to the town’s a tedious process, especially for hihants.

Ever since that almost-kidnapping that happened last time the Union’s checking on everyone that comes and goes in the campus. Security has almost doubled because of the multiple attacks that happened all over the town that day. Targets were even reported missing for a few hours before being discovered unconscious in different secluded areas, having signs of a memory wipe from a mental skill.

“Good thing classes start today or I would’ve been bored as heck.” I put on my uniform for the first time, feeling the weird sensation of it adjusting perfectly to my average build. “First day huh. I’ve gone through this multiple times in my past life, but I still feel nervous and giddy nonetheless. Haah… Breathe, Cas.”

I calmed down the rapid beating of the heart and the frantic flying of the butterflies before looking in the mirror. My green eyes staring back at me, reminding me of my mom. The rock plates on my face combined with my round face looks fairly reminiscent of my father’s. Geez, with my hair getting longer like this I’m looking more and more like him every day.

I fixed up my hair then checked the phone for my schedule. “I’m surprised they don’t have a general assembly or something similar on the first day. Basic Warrior Combat huh, this ought to be interesting. I never sparred with anyone close to my age.” My ignorance towards my own strength compared to anyone else’s is something I wished to mend during my time here.

Apprenticing under my parents gave me less chances to socialize with anyone in my age bracket. I did fight Sammy to help him get his Warrior class, but I was only defending so that doesn’t count. He’s probably as unaware as I am.

I grabbed the shield the union provided, feeling the foreign weight on my arm and he jealous tug from Kern. “It’s not like I like this Kern. Once I figure out how to put enchantments on you I’d not be using any other shield, I promise.” He sends a sad tug followed by one of understanding as he went back into my heart plate.

Sighing, I grabbed my triple-barrelled sawed-off shotgun and holstered it behind my hip. This is one of the few ranged weapons I can use effectively within mid-range without Stein adjusting my aim. They didn’t exactly allow me to have a portable cannon or any kind of explosive weapon. “Maybe I should’ve brought this before, an extra weapon wouldn’t hurt.” I thought out loud as I filled and attached an ammo pouch on my belt.

Double-checking to make sure I didn’t forget anything, I walked outside only to come running back due to Mikes reminder about my Badge. The surreal sight of students walking around with their backpacks along with holstered swords, axes, guns, and all sorts of weapons is something out of a fantasy book. And it reminded me that I forgot my backpack... so I had to rush back once again. D##nit Cas, make a list next time!

Once I finally made sure I have everything I rushed to class with my ever so trusty unique skill and made it before the lecturer did. The room is actually more of a covered gym with seats on one side and a fighting area in the centre.

Like in my past life, I enjoyed the solitude offered by the back seat. With that goal in mind, I headed straight for it and sat down. I scanned the room briefly, looking for a familiar face only to be disappointed by the lack thereof. I put my head down the desk and pretend to sleep, just like every other antisocial student ever.

*sigh* I should’ve walked slower, this is anxiety-inducing… Status

Name: Castiel Newton

Race: D'varf / Efir’esh

Titles: None(Shown)

Otherworlder, Bearer of Blessings, ■■■■ Eater

Classes: Warrior(Shown)

Ranger, Mage, Enchanter, Alchemist

Status: Healthy

Physical: 16D

Endurance: 2D Mind: 32E

Magic: 73E

Traits

Semi-earthen Physiology Lv 27

[Material Transmutation]

Aetherial Ma-

*bang*A startling noise boomed and echoed from the centre of the room made me abruptly close the status window. In the middle of the room stood an Alkir leaning on a large wooden log with a handle on one end. A frightening pressure weighed on me as her pitch-black eyes shone with war-like vigour which is further accentuated by her blood-red tusks that look to be engraved with a tribal pattern.

“Listen up, I will count to 100 and by the time I’m finished all of you better have been warmed up and are combat-ready.” Her voice bellows across the deathly silent room and everyone is somewhat confused or stunned by her sudden appearance.

“One by one I want you all to come in front of me once I call you, and you will struggle with all your might. Anyone slacking, thinking that they can fool me, will be removed from my class immediately and be forced to take it again next year with no exceptions. One!” A few students were about to voice out their complaints or questions stopped when the door opens and a group of students come in carrying bags engraved with the symbol medics, a drop of blood.

Well, if that isn’t a foreboding sight then I don’t know what is. I stand up went to the side to stretch while I rechecked and prepared my equipment. I loaded the shotgun and attached my shield on my left arm. While the lecturer continues to count, I do some shield bashes and swings to get accustomed to the unfamiliar weight.

“100! Alright, time’s up. Get the list up.” A floating hologram appears in the air with the names of the students and their classes. My heart beats rapidly as I see my name in the first row of the list before a single heavenly word eases my anxiety.

“Randomize.”

Holy s##t. That scared the rocks out of me ugh. Breathe, Cas. The columns shuffle up and down as I hear a few sighs of relief from a few students. The shuffling slows down and breaths of cold air ring out for those people on the top.

“Mercury!” The lecturer’s voice booms and the sound of metal boots clanking fill the room as a frail young humah boy comes up the stage, his hands shaking from nervousness.

Name: Mercury

Race: Humah / ■■■■

Title: ■■■■

Classes: ■■■■

Easily incapacitated

I sneak a peek at the lecturer's status.

Name: ■■■■

Race: Alkir

Title: ■■■■

Classes: ■■■■

INSTANT DEATH, DO NOT ENGAGE!

Well, the medics are going to have a lot of practice subjects in our class huh. Maybe even cadavers. She stops leaning on the log and goes into a combat stance. The air thickens once again with fear and anticipation.“Fight for as long as you can. Use everything you have.”

He runs to her and spins around as he delivers a kick towards the lecturer’s temples. She grabs his foot and tries to fling him upwards, but sparks come out of his boot, electrifying the hand holding it and clamping it down. He sends a stomp towards her face which she grabs with her other hand and then proceeds to slam him down to the ground. Hard.

A small crater formed with the unconscious student in the centre. The medical team calmly picked up the student with a floating board and sent him to the sides as the lecturer calls another name. “Ardel!”

The room quieted down as the only sounds audible are the whispering of the medical team and the loud beating hearts of the students. No one comes up to the arena which visibly irritates the lecturer.

“Ardel!” She roars once again with a deafening voice, startling the entire class. A guy suddenly scrambles towards the door and vacates the area as fast as he can.

The lecturer looks unfazed by this and swipes his name off of the list. “Evelyn!”, she continues. Well, this was not what I expected for my first day.

[a few bloodbaths later]

A lot of students have already run away even before their names were even called. After seeing the matches, it’s understandable why they’ve chosen to do that. I messaged Kat and Kent about it and apparently she’s one of the scariest ones to get, especially for first years.

Known as the ‘Fresher Breaker’, she’s famous, or rather infamous, with making fresher give up on the first day. It sounds stupid but it’s quite appropriate. That medical area looks like it’s seen two consecutive wars.

But she’s also one of the best ones to get as her students always eventually turn out to be some of the strongest in their batch. And also I kinda don’t want to be delayed in my first year here. Dad always beat me up when I was six, how different would this be?

“Ada!”, she shouts seeming like she hasn’t even broken a sweat after the handful of spars she just participated in. An eye-catching efir’esh girl walks up to the arena with a sheathed rapier. Her hair waving mysteriously with the colour of the desert and her auburn eyes that shone with determination, she’s the first one up that didn’t show the least bit of fear towards the lecturer. It’s rare to see another efir’esh. Thinking about it, I've only seen two or three in my twelve years here, not including my mother.

Name: Ada

Race: Efir'esh

Title: ■■■■

Classes: ■■■■

Minor danger, do not ignore

The lecturer nods with a look approval and lowered her stance. Ada, the current victim, unsheathes her rapier with her right hand and points directly in front of her in a typical fencing pose. She lightly stepped forward and appeared directly in front of the lecturer accompanied with the whistle of the wind.

*clang* A melodious ringing echoed out as metal hit metal. The lecturer blocked rapier with her metal bracer that’s currently reinforced by a visibly significant amount of aura. A symphony of metal plays as they continue to fight, with the lecturer surprisingly only being on the defensive.

Eventually, however, she effortlessly deflects the rapier upwards and out of the girl’s hand and hits her with a palm strike to the chest. This sends her flying towards the wall and hitting it with a significant impact before dropping near the medical area, where they were prepared to receive her immediately. Convenient, maybe I should aim to be thrown towards that direction as well.

“Good!” The lecturer bellows with a smile. The class is stunned as it is the first time we’ve seen her have any kind of emotion apart from deadpan and annoyed. She looks up and shouts the next name out. “Castiel!”

Ah well, time to die. I go to the middle, shaking my hands slightly to throw off the nervousness. I lower my stance and put my shield in front of me, with my other hand hovering over my gun. I stood there, waiting for anything to signal the start of the battle. Breathe, Cas.

“Come.” She says and I immediately unholstered my gun and shot it at her. She crosses her arms to block with her metal bracer and I used immediately to rush at her with the shield reinforced with aura.

*clang* I hit her crossed arms with the strength of a truck and shoved it upwards, breaking her guard. I aimed the shotgun at her in point-blank range and fired two barrels at the same time. She lowered her arms faster at an unbelievably fast speed and blocked the shots.

I backed off to create distance and reloaded my gun. “? Quite a skill. You sure you’re a warrior, boy?”

I nod and she immediately rushed me with a speed equal to my previous velocity. She kept sending punches towards me, which I kept deflecting with my shield, faster and faster to the point where I’ve begun using to keep up. I feel fatigued as my aura and stamina decreases with each use of and .

Having no room to counter, I backed away, using to pull myself backwards, but she chased me while maintaining the same distance as before. We continued this dance for a while before I finally slipped up and she ended up punching straight through the shield and broke my arm.

F##k! As I got sent flying, I desperately pointed my shotgun at her and unloaded all three bullets. Crashed to the other side of the arena and stood up immediately into a fighting stance, shieldless and vulnerable.

She stares me down for a moment before grinning and shouting, “Well done!”

I was stunned for a moment, before nodding towards the lecturer and limping to the medical area, which is on the other side of the room. I should’ve aimed for that place, ugh my arm hurts…

I got there and sat down on one of the mats as a sheep-eared girl came up to me and gave me a potion.

“Wow, I’ve never seen anyone stay conscious after sparring with that monster. Let alone two.” She praised me while patching up my bruises with enchanted bandages.

“Two?” I asked since I wasn’t aware anyone other than me was barely alive after getting a beating from her.

She nods and points towards the efir’esh girl, “She didn’t even flinch as we set her broken ribs.” I look at her, flinching as I realized that she’s staring at me. I whispered to the sheep girl, “Why is she looking at me?”

The sheep girl glances at her before grinning towards me with mischief in her eyes, “Maybe she likes you?” I feel her pinch my cheek. “You’re adorable after all, and strong. Anyway, you’re all done, just don’t move that arm around too much.” She gives me a wink before leaving.

I revelled at the speed with which she fixed my broken arm. If I could learn healing magic, I would. Sadly, my affinity with healing magic is one of the worst ones. That's actually one of the reasons I wanted to learn alchemy instead, to compensate.

Sighing, I massaged my head while looking at the broken shield in front of me. “You didn’t last long, didn’t you? Kern would’ve easily lasted more than thrice as long as you did.” I feel a tug of joy from my heart plate as I said that.

I glanced at the girl to see if she’s still staring at me and she has already left. I breathed a sigh of relief and a tinge of disappointment. What? Why am I disappointed? I’m not some twelve-year-old with a cru- oh no…

I caressed my head in an almost fetal position, dreading the coming years as the harbinger of childhood embarrassment comes crashing in full force. Puberty...