“Whatever your talents are, I hope that you seriously take efforts to grasp a future where you are the best that you can be.” The youthful lizardman begins his speech enthusiastically as he paces back and forth before us and gesticulates wildly. His red scales and short horns certainly aid in his energetic appearance.

“Your journeys have only just begun, and while your studies will surely focus on refining your talents, do not waste your youths. All classes are available for everyone to take, so follow your hearts and discover lifelong hobbies and friends.”

I only half listen to his speech. After leaving the testing facility we were brought to the foot of a large complex and left gobsmacked at the sight of what they’re calling an academy.

White stone towers stand tall and intimidating over us. They’re chipped and scarred from battles ages old, but the damage only adds to the majesty. They have proven themselves unbending and unbreaking.

Sloped roofs, covered with shiny armoured scales in place of shingles, are all topped with large crystals that bend the light towards them and glow faintly. I can’t begin to guess at what magic might be active over the buildings, but I can feel the effects on my mana flow from here like a gentle tugging and pulling against the flow in my skin.

Yet, for all of this, it is further upwards where my sight is drawn.

A complex the size of a city block floats on air in the centre of the academy. In the middle of it stands a tall spiralling tower peaked with a large crystal glowing bright green. The buildings that surround the tower are all uniquely beautiful, but built of the same white stone.

Below this strange island, holding it up by some magic that I don’t yet understand, is a crystal tree. It hangs inverted beneath the structure, its leafless branches reaching down towards the earth without quite getting there. It must be at least a hundred meters tall, yet it’s still another fifty from the tallest roofs of the towers beside us.

“We will now begin the tour of your academy.” He says, “This front building houses the classrooms for theoretical classes. As with all areas to come, it has been designed to suit all species among you.”

He enthusiastically lists many of the classes that he apparently finds quite enthralling, including but not limited to history, mathematics, magic theory, logistical management, fashion design, engineering, and physics.

Though all this does leave me with an important question.

“So, I never had the chance to ask, but the class list in Chip. What’s up with that?”

“What do you mean? It’s for class lesson planning.” Eshya says, “It’s essentially just a schedule for what’s being taught in the next classes, and what you should focus your studies on in preparation. If you’re trying to develop Skills on your own, you can just ignore it.”

“Wait. That’s it? I’ve been reading through that thing every night, looking for clues on how to get the next spells. All that was pointless? And the Grade thing? What about that?”

“Calm down, calm down.” She says, laughing at my reaction her cold expression retreating a little, “You don’t have grades where you come from? Just to measure what year of education you’re up to. It’s there for each class because a second-year student might choose to only take their first-year’s class in a certain course. It keeps track of all that.”

I grate my teeth, thinking about the time I’ve spent sorting through the classes in the damn support device.

“I thought it was like a video game.” I say, “I thought I might be able to learn a few spells, grade up and get stronger. I thought I could level up damn it!”

“I mean, isn’t that what you do by going to class?”

“And ‘Classes’ are literally just classes?”

“What did you think they were?”

“Argh!” I smack my head, “Too many games. Of course. It’s an academy. Classes are classes. Grades are grades. I’m such a fucking idiot.”

“Cheer up, it’s not that bad.” Eshya says patting me on the back, “Look he’s even finally finished going on about his favourite classes. Let’s go see what building he’s going to make a long tiresome speech out of next.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll just learn like a normal person. In school, and from teachers… At least I still have Skills.”

“Well, yeah. Skills are Skills.”

“Fucking… just, shut up.” I moan, rubbing at my temple. Eshya laughs and pats my shoulder, even Nel and Vii are holding back their own laughter.

“I’ll help you with the class planning.” Nel says, “I’ve the most time out of all of us, and I know the academy the best too. So, leave that to me.”

“The teachers don’t take charge of that?” I ask.

“No, they allow for freedom in choosing your classes.” She shakes her head, “It can mean wasted time and resources. If you’ll agree I’ll schedule our classes and make the best use of this place.”

“That would be good,” I say, “You know it’s nice to see you taking charge.”

“Well, it’s finally a situation where taking charge doesn’t mean someone will die.” She replies, shivering slightly. “This. This I can do.”

“We’ll be in your care.” Eshya replies, “Just don’t press me into sewing classes.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Nel smiles happily, clicking her fingers as she thinks.

“Here you’ll find the many of the rooms for the technical classes, forges, enchantment facilities, alchemy labs, and the like. Behind the building you’ll find various agricultural facilities, and open-air spaces for some club activities.”

The building he’s pointing towards is off to the side of the academy grounds and stands around three stories tall. The land I can see peeking out from behind it seems to be a garden of sorts.

“There are clubs here?” I ask, looking about at the students busying about.

“There are,” Nel answers, “I was in the cooking club. It was quite enjoyable, even if it wasn’t the best use of my talents.”

“Oh? I’ll have to try your cooking later.” I say, looking about, “I wonder if there’s a club that would be useful…” I mumble still figuring out my plans.

“Yet, it’s not so useful now.” She shakes her head, sadly.

If this place is minimally safe, then I want to get the most out of it. I won’t feel comfortable under the power of another, but I understand that I’m not strong enough to overthrow this entire multi-world empire with a few words. If I can use the resources here to get more powerful, and to gather good talent, then I would be well on my way to independence.

Perhaps I can even seize power through ordinary political means. Putting up banners and asking for votes feels rather pedestrian after everything I’ve been through, but if it works, it works.

“Moving on.” The lizard man finally finishes his long explanation of the building and all the classes and clubs that use it. Or at least I think that’s what he was talking about, I wasn’t really listening.

“This is the central complex of the academy. This is where you’ll find the restaurant, club offices, teacher offices, the dance hall, and various other facilities.” He says waving up at the crystal tree from beneath.

“I’m sure you’re wondering how to get up there.” He smiles joyously, clearly enjoying his role, “That is where these lifts come in.”

He pushes his hand against a marker on a platform nearby, summoning from the stone beneath our feet, a large circular platform. It’s semitransparent like smoky glass, a pattern formed by glowing energy takes up the greater expanses of the platform that slowly lifts us up a few centimetres from the ground.

“And up we go!” I try to shift my feet to steady myself, but I’m locked in place. Not my feet, nor my upper body can move as if I’ve been clutched by a great, big, fluffy hand, it’s not suffocating but it’s difficult to move any more that the tiniest distance.

“There are various safety measures employed to ensure that you do not fall or come to harm. So, relax and enjoy the view as we head up for lunch.”

The view is pleasant, the giant tree in the distance becomes slightly clearer, but the truly breathtaking part has to be the other islands. Scattered over the land in a complex pattern, countless floating islands stand upon inverted crystal trees, a spiralling tower stands tall in the centre of each.

“How many academies are there?” I ask, cleaning my glasses on my shirt. A bad habit, but it’s not like I have a proper cleaning cloth with me anymore.

“Lots and lots.” Vii answers, “The whole world is made up of academies like this. Well except for the world tree, which takes up a lot of space, and except for the ruins underneath the surface, no one wants to live at an underground academy, that would suck.”

“I don’t believe I know the full count,” Adler says, “But I do believe that there are many million on this planet.”

“Oh, that’s all. Here I thought there were lots. It’s only many millions.” I let out a dry laugh, as I watch a number of large ships lifting up into the sky and popping out of existence.

For as far as I can see there are structures and facilities just like this one. Wide gardens, parks, and the many trees keep it from looking like the hellish cityscape that it otherwise is.

“So, oceans? Forests?”

“No, this should be a fully curated world.” Vii answers, “The world trees are the only exceptions, so there are no oceans or forests. I don’t know much about it, but apparently it’s easier to manage air and temperature when you can control everything. So, big oceans and forests make things complicated.”

“I… don’t even know where to begin…” I’m amazed, terrified, and a more than a little impressed at the capacity of this empire. I have my work cut out for me, if this is their normal. They up and kicked mother nature out the back door and took over entirely.

In a way it’s more like a giant spacecraft than a proper planet at this point.

“So, if there’s no beasts or anything, what’s going to be trying to kill us this time…?” I ask, leering a little at Adler. If there’s an enemy here it’ll be the welfare officers, but I’m not sure how ready we are to fight them.

“What was that?” Adler asks.

“Nothing, just a little concerned about the nature of morals and ethics in your civilisation.” I reply, waving the mark on my hand her way, “Something like this, and bringing us all here without respecting our rights to refuse is something that would be a considerable breach of ethics where I come from.”

Eshya elbows me in the side, and Nel squeezes my arm painfully hard.

“Yes, I’m afraid that some people from third grade civilisations have difficulty adjusting to the proper nature of civilisation.” She declares, “That’s why I’m here to help. I’m sure you’ve already seen the benefits of the support device, and as to forced education, it’s something you will see the benefits of from your time here.”

“Yes, I’m sure…” I say, Eshya glaring at me quietly to keep me from saying anything more dangerous.

“That aside, are there any trolls in the dungeon we should be aware of?” I ask Adler. “I’m sure fate isn’t done fucking us yet.”

“Trolls? I don’t believe dangerous beasts are kept in such states that they might escape. The beast training facilities are extraordinarily well maintained.”

“So, they do keep beasts here…” I nod to myself, planning out how we can respond if a stray beast comes around.

“It probably won’t be a beast this time.” Nel says, “It’ll be one of the academy ghosts.”

“Ghosts again?”

“Every academy has the stories.” Vii says, “The academy worlds are so very old and there are many ruins and lost facilities under the surface. The ghosts sometimes wonder out and take students, or so the rumours go. More likely it’s just people wandering below and messing around.”

“Well, that sounds better than another battle.” I say rubbing my chin, “So let us imagine… something lurking beneath the academy is going to come out and capture one of us probably Vii.”

“Why me?” She chirps.

“Just because. Then the rest of us are going to chase it down and try and save you, but it will be too late.”

“I die?!”

“No, but your wings are plucked clean.”

“How cruel!”

“What about space pirates instead?” I ask, “Aliens coming along in massive ships to abduct students and destroy cities.”

“The rebel forces wouldn’t dare attack a core world.” Adler declares proudly, “The shields and defences around this world are beyond anything the rebels can fight against.”

“Defences? I didn’t think the welfare officers approved of violence.” She doesn’t even have the self-reflection to realize the venom contained in those words. There are no other humans with us anymore, thankfully none died as far as I can tell, but they were wounded enough by the mana scan that they had to be taken away for treatment.

“It’s not violence. They’re old defences, they’ll only hurt people who recklessly throw themselves upon them. It would be tragic, still, but the only ones responsible would be the rebels themselves. If someone flies into the sun, it isn’t the sun’s fault.” Adler shakes her head sadly.

As she finishes, the elevator stops at the height of the island. Thick, grey stone makes up the foundation, scattered with the crystal roots of the tree below us, it has either been flattened of formed flat, such that the roots are more like veins through the smooth stone floor.

“I’m sure you’re all growing hungry by now, so, this here is the academy restaurant. Use as you please, as with everything here in the Unified States, it is free for anyone at any time. Our society has long surpassed the era of barter.”

“That’s worrisome…” I say as we head inside.

The restaurant, as he calls it, is a strangely open building. An open roof and an open wall facing the massive world tree, makes it feel more like an extremely beautiful, if rather dull, theatre. Better watching a world tree grow than watching grass grow, I suppose.

There are already students in there eating when we arrive, and they quickly turn to us as we enter. They seem to find the sight of us amusing.

Many tables are set up in the large building, and we don’t wait long to seize one for ourselves. The seats are functional but don’t have the amazing softness of the therapy chair during my inquisition.

“What’s worrisome about it?” Adler asks, “Isn’t it good that you can get food without having to worry about having enough for trade?”

“If it actually works, perhaps…” I say hesitantly as Eshya steps on my foot. Still I can’t help but think of humanity’s failed attempts at such things. As I understand, breadlines were not especially well liked.

No waitresses approach, but I see no place to make an order, or evens signs of a kitchen nearby. The reason for this is quickly made clear as magic forms in the air above and lowers down to the table. Ghostly images of different foods and dishes quickly form before us, filling the table.

“Well, it’s an impressive way to diet I suppose…”

“You can taste test the dishes though these magical reproductions, then you tap on them to order what you’re after.” Nel explains as I stare at the ghostly meal.

She presses her hand atop a simple salad, and low and behold, a salad soon comes floating in, landing in place of the ghostly meal.

The others don’t hesitate to test out a few dishes and make their orders, so I follow suit. I’m not too hungry yet but every speck of mana is a potential weapon. I choose a soup that seems like it would be easy to digest and wait for it to be delivered by the invisible fairy waitresses.

Vii and Nel have decided to share their dishes and are discussing herbs and dressings with much energy. It’s a little past me, but they’re enjoying themselves. Eshya is looking on as if wanting to join the conversation, but not quite knowing what to add. As the conversation between Nel and Vii grows more heated they turn to Eshya for her opinion, to her excitement.

“So long as the world tree doesn’t suddenly catch fire, I should take this chance to meet a few people.” I say, looking between the other students. “I want to find some talent here.”

“What for?” Adler asks curiously.

“Just making friends.” I say, “It’s good to socialise right. It’s healthy.”

“Oh, that’s all. Why do they have to be talented then?”

“It’s more interesting that way.” I reply, glaring into her eyes. She’s digging, but I’m not even sure if she means it to be invasive. She seems almost like someone who’s just socially inept, but I have trouble believing it considering her career.

“Putting that aside,” I say, trying to do just that, “there was something I was wanting to bring up. It’s a little concerning that we haven’t been told much about how to behave here. It’s like the welfare officers are waiting to punish us for something we don’t even know is considered wrong.”

“That’s not the case at all.” Adler says, “You should simply act as comes natural.”

“Is that how it feels for you?” Eshya asks me, looking cautiously between me and Adler, “I should think the expectations are for you to act as is commonly sensible.”

“What is considered common sensibility to you guys, though?” I ask, hoping for more clarification, “Like, Red’s common sense for example, would not exactly be taken kindly here.”

“Definitely not,” Eshya replies sternly.

“What about other things, then? Public affection. Kissing and the sort? I’m willing to bet some cultures visiting might even take things further than that, though I don’t expect that to be a problem today.”

“Public affection? Kissing?” Nel looks at me in confusion, “That’s improper, isn’t it?”

“Wait, what?” Vii asks, looking between the two of us. “Sure, some people can be embarrassing with that stuff, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Kissing at least, anything messy should probably be kept in private but a bit of kissing and touching is fine, isn’t it?”

“That’s what houses are for,” Eshya says, more curious than disagreeing, “I… I couldn’t imagine doing any such thing in sight of some uninvolved stranger.”

“But isn’t it weird to be hiding it like your ashamed of it?” Vii asks.

“No, it’s weird to do it in public,” Nel says with embarrassment, “Kissing and other intimate moments shouldn’t be shared with just anyone.”

They all look at Vii in confusion.

“That’s the sort of thing I’m talking about. I’m with Vii by the way, embarrassing maybe, immoral it is not.” I say, digging into my own meal. “If you’re not clear about these things, others will get into trouble doing something they see as normal. It’s all just a bit… concerning.”

“It’s just… how things are.” Adler says, having trouble cutting into our conversation.

“This isn’t nature, it’s civilisation. Things are as they are because someone made it this way.” I tell her, getting more and more pissed off with her attitude. “I’m already concerned that asking these questions, and having these thoughts is itself some grave sin to you people.”

Adler stares into her meal left to go cold, as she tries to think.

“You… We know what’s best.” She says, “I’m here to help you. Just… you don’t need to think about such things…”

I bite my tongue and take slow deep breathes to keep from saying something even more inflammatory. I grit my teeth to try and stop myself from pushing any further, but…

I look around, and there’s no one else in earshot as far as I can tell. Adler is too much of a risk. She’s going to be following us around and spying on our every conversation, there’s only one way I can think to change things, and it’s a huge risk itself.

“As I thought… It won’t be fires from the heavens, it won’t be pirates, and it won’t be ghosts. It’ll be you and your help, won’t it?”

She flinches, sitting quietly with her ears flattened against her head. It stings to watch her looking so pitiful, but I can’t let it show.

“Kyra, you can’t talk like that!” Eshya whispers viciously, “You don’t know what she can do to us!”

Adler twitches, looking up at Eshya opening her mouth as if to say something, but she freezes. Her eyes are shining with tears.

“No, I don’t.” I say, slurping from my bowl of soup and relaxing back into my seat. “You want to tell us Adler? Tell us just what horrible thing you and your welfare officers have planned for us?”

“You just have to behave.” She insists quietly, “It’s for everyone’s best interest.”

“Red thought she was helping us, too.” I say, trying to meet Adler’s eyes but she keeps looking away.

“Kyra, you’re going to get us in some deep shit.” Eshya says, a strangely keen smile rising on her lips. It’s refreshing to see, and I know that she’s ready to fight to the death rather than submit to the welfare officers.

“Don’t blame me, it’s all up to Adler here, isn’t it?”

She doesn’t even pick at her meal, as the rest of us start up on other topics. I’ve already said enough. It won’t be enough to break her out of years of conditioning and propaganda, but maybe she’ll hesitate. Perhaps, if she hesitates long enough, I’ll be able to free ourselves from being stuck under the thumb of the welfare officers.

While we converse, I nervously skim through the stats that actually matter, feeling a growing discomfort in how little they’ve changed. I’m already picking a stupid fight. I’ll need enough power that I can actually meaningly fight a galactic fucking empire.

“Are you the survivors from the ship crash?” Asks a strange young woman who walks up to us after we’ve finished our meals.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stats & Skills

~Mana Form:

Current mana density: 310 units

~Mana distribution:

Skin: 21%

Muscle: 7%

Mind: 3%

Cardiovascular: 7%

Misc.: 1%

Efficiency: 39%

~Skills:

-Mana skin

-Mana shield.

-Flame burst

-Fireball

-Infused Delayed Casting