I let out a long, tired groan as I stare into the pits of my soup considering the pros and cons of just dipping in a finger and sucking up the meagre mana with my mana drain Skill. A soup for breakfast mightn’t have been the best idea. For some reason, the bobbing chunks of vegetable and mushroom seem a little off to me.

Perhaps because they’re bright purple, and floating in a thick soup coloured baby-shit yellow.

Or maybe it’s just because I want to go back to bed.

“School starts properly today,” Vii calls out energetically, from the other side of the table, “Aren’t you excited? We can finally see what all those other classes are about.”

I spent the last couple of days looking into interesting sounding classes that all require mana sense to have even basic understanding. I still haven’t developed it even with my brain taking a solid 12% mana efficiency now.

I also touched up that strange cog from the reinforcement class, but whatever breakthrough I’m expected to have didn’t happen. No special magical talents for me, I suppose.

Chip pings with another message from the gamer elf, but I don’t bother to reply. He’s desperate to talk with someone about the games he’s played, so I haven’t been able to get anything much out of him but a few silly discussions about old games, and empty promises of revolutionary new ideas that he will one day implement.

It’s feeling more and more like all the stuff on Chip was still in early development but shipped out anyway. The message system seems to be the only part that’s not useless. Even the some of the class objectives have been put in wrong and can’t be updated or changed.

I’ve managed to write up a basic report for the journalist club that I’ll be visiting tonight when class is over. It’s humorous rather than informative, but it’s not like I can really discuss much about the truth of the underground ruins. The group did seem rather serious about journalism but it’s too late to have doubts now.

Nel has helped us to set up our class schedules, which were not as painful as I expected them to be.

There are various times that the classes are on throughout the week to make things more flexible for us. I can only imagine how much of a pain this is for the teachers, but it is great for students like us.

It’s also another strange touch of freedom that feels so out of character for this civilisation. There are so many contradictions, especially whenever the welfare officers are involved.

I hate it, but I can’t yet change it.

“Combat training was first up, no?” I ask, stirring my soup hoping that it’ll just disappear.

“It is, it is.” Vii chirps happily, “We’re all together for today’s classes. I wonder what the dissection class is going to be like, it’s probably going to be gooey and gross. Then, the beast taming class? I wonder what it’s going to be like.”

I soon lose track of what Vii’s talking about as her words take off. With a resigned sigh, I take a bite of the soup.

It tastes pretty good, but I already knew that from tasting it on the ghostly menu. Knowing what it looks like still spoils the experience.

I close my eyes and throw it down as fast as I can. It’s not really that hard, but it is still unpleasant.

“I wonder what our classmates are going to be like?” Eshya asks.

“Why don’t we go find out.” I suggest, standing up and leaving my bowl behind to be magicked away.

“Is something bothering you?” Eshya asks as we head out the door.

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I reply, rubbing at my head and taking a few deep breaths, “Just nervous, I guess. Stupid considering what we’ve been through, but maybe that’s the problem. I keep expecting the end of the world, but instead we’ve got class to attend.” I hiss the last part.

Eshya laughs at me, patting my back.

“The world is ending, and we’re preparing for it.” She replies, “No reason to get all worked up over it.”

“The world isn’t ending.” Adler insists, but we ignore her.

“We’ll be alright.” Nel says, “From how we survived after the crash, I think we could handle the apocalypse just fine.”

“It’s also the beginning of a new world.” Vii says, hopping beside me, “One far more interesting, if a bit chaotic.”

I breath deep, “I suppose so long as I’ve got you girls, I don’t have so much to worry about. Let’s get to class.”

“You’ll get to class. I’ll be cleaning sheets.” Nel says, with a little chuckle, “Work hard, our home will be clean by the time you come back.”

“It’d be better if you could come with us.” I say, failing to withhold a long sigh.

“Oh, but I’m just a maid. Not one of you beastly combat students.” She replies with a smile, before continuing more seriously, “Take care of yourselves. Meet me at the dorm for lunch, hopefully I’ll be available, if I’m not there, go without me and we’ll meet up for dinner.”

“Alright. You take care of yourself, as well.” I reply.

“Could you clean my other clothes while you’re at it.” Eshya says, “I forgot to when I changed. They’re on the floor, I think.”

“I’ll take care of it, but I have to say, you’re reminding me a little of my father.”

“In a good way?” Eshya asks hopefully.

Nel remains silent.

“I’ll try to clean up after myself in the future.” Eshya says blushing as she looks down.

“It’s not much of a bother to clean up after you.” Nel says, “But there is a certain measure of self-respect I think we can all maintain through cleaning up after ourselves, especially with little things like this.”

I look away and try not to seem guilty. My room barely gets cleaned and is always a mess, the only reason I’ve not made a mess of our dorm is because I lack the property. The dress and jacket are the only things that I own that I’m not currently wearing, and they’re neatly packed away only because they’re special.

“Think of a meal for lunch,” Vii says to Nel, “I’ve already got something lined up for you.”

“What’s this?” I ask, wondering about her seriousness.

“Vii and I selected each other’s breakfast.” Nel says, “It was… fun? I guess. In fact, why don’t we all do it?”

There’s an evil shine to her eyes, and I know she has something planned.

“Sure,” Some traps are best dealt with by walking straight into them. It’s no fun to avoid these things.

“Anyway, we’ve been talking too long. We’ve already said our goodbyes. Anyway, see you again at lunch.” She says, walking away and waving back at us.

“Let’s go!” Eshya says. She’s unusually energetic this morning, likely because she’s looking forwards to her favourite past time.

Violence.

“I’ll be with you.” Our cat eared chaperone says, reminding us again, whether we like it or not, that our freedom is dependent on her whims.

We head to the field where we met Freid a few days ago, a few other students were ahead of us. There are quiet signs of discontent, and more than a few angry rants spoken in whispers. A good half instead seem confused, looking around at this world with wonder that has yet to fade.

Few are happy to be here.

But Eshya is one of those few. She’s practically bouncing as we arrive, and I’m sure she’d only be happier if these other unfortunate students would leave and get out of her way.

Vii is similarly excited, but her excitement is tempered with a good measure of anxiety. Considering her experience with the worm the other day, I can sympathise.

Freid stands before us with the same casual attitude that seems to define his character. I’d think his role here to be something quite challenging considering how little interest his students have in his class, but he doesn’t show any worry. I can only think that things have been like this for a quite a few generations, it’s likely normal for him.

“I’m glad you’ve gathered here, though I do see that some are missing. In case any of you take to the idea of skipping, I should remind you that the welfare assistants give this class quite a bit of special attention. For those who aren’t aware, there are consequences for failing to take classes following your talent.

“Marks against your records, that will make it more difficult to access resources you will want and need. Personal luxuries, and better equipment for your classes. In this class that equipment can be your life or death. Those who are consistently expressing their freedom poorly, they may be determined to be less than a civilised being, and more of a ‘beastly’ being.

“In this class we have rather close connections with the beasts, and some of you may even wish to take taming classes, where you will learn to tame and control said ‘beastly’ beings.”

…

What?

…

The fuck?

Come to class or you might end up a literal slave?

…

It’s what I was expecting.

I sort of knew this was a thing already, but…

This is fucked.

I listen quietly as he continues to describe some marginally less awful things, but I glance over at Adler again and have trouble containing a burst of manic laughter. I feel a deep unsettling ball of rage rising up in my chest yet again.

Just as I was calming down, too.

Freid finishes his speech, and I wonder how perfect the attendance rates for his classes must be.

We slowly group up and head towards the arena, likely so that the rest of the class can get thrown into the pit with a beast of their own. Another great educational experience.

At least I’m learning what not to do when I become an empress, and rule over alien lands. Then again, I don’t think this was a lesson that I ever really needed to be taught.

An awkward looking furry creature walks near to us as we stroll through the sparse trees. She’s been wondering around looking nervously from group to group ever since we joined this mess of a class. Though it’s not like she’s the only uncertain student around.

“Hi,” she says, walking alongside us.

“Why hello, I must say it’s lovely weather we’re having.” I reply, trying to think of something to talk about that’s not referencing the brutal fight ahead of us.

“Ah… I guess so?” She replies, “Do you know what’s going on?”

“Combat training class.” I say with a shrug.

“Yeah, but I mean. Some strange person stuck me with this weird silver water, which hurt my head, then told me I had to come here.” She says, and I nod along, relating it to my own experience.

“So, I ran away as far as I could.”

My plan B. It doesn’t seem like it worked out well for her.

“But he found me again and dragged me onto a weird ship and brought me here. What’s happening?”

“Ah, a kidnapping case.” I nod understandingly as I look into her teary eyes. She’s cute, in the way that a dog is cute. She stinks a bit, her ruddy hair is knotted and messy, and she’s of a similar race to our wolfish teacher, which is to say that she looks like an ugly half-formed werewolf.

Eshya steps in and gives her a rundown of the basics about the Unified States and this academy. She’s smart enough to pick up on it quickly, so maybe she’s worth knowing.

Her name is Vice and she’s apparently from another third grade civilisation, but hers is far more primitive than Earth.

“So, everyone here lives in here all year? You don’t move with the seasons, or anything?” She asks, stuck on one of the more basic concepts.

“Yes.” I reply, “We live in buildings, and we stay here all year, you don’t?”

“We have our buildings sure, but we bury them and move with the seasons. We have to, to avoiding the mating seasons for the more violent beasts and following the ones we can hunt.” She explains, before looking around us again, “There’s something I have to ask.

“Fighting and learning to be warriors. That’s what this class is about, right? You guys are warriors, too? Everyone seems to be treating this strangely. Isn’t a warrior someone of the highest respect?”

“No. Quite the opposite.” Eshya says firmly, “If you want respect here, then you should try and grow your skills in other things.”

“That’s stupid.” The furry girl says, “Warriors protect everyone. They’re the most important people around.”

“Whether you think it stupid, or not. It’s how it is.” Eshya replies.

“These people are weird.” She mumbles.

“You should be mindful of what you say.” Adler says, “Treating violence so lightly can be harmful.”

“What she means to say is that there are things that you can’t say, or… remember what the teacher said just a minute ago? About students skipping class?”

“You can say whatever you like.” Adler clarifies, “It’s just that there are consequences.”

Thankfully, Vice is smart and picks up on things quickly enough that by the time we reach the arena she’s a little less nervous, and she’s got a good chance of escaping imprisonment. I should be thankful for our lenient little welfare officer, she worries me sometimes, but I imagine she’s better than most alternatives.

As we get to the arena, the rest of the first grade students grow tense. I suppose this sight alone is enough to strike the reality of the situation into them. They’re going to be fighting beasts, whether they like it or not.

A few older students stand around, but none seem to be here as an audience, they’re likely here to assist with healing, cleaning, and removing corpses. Hopefully only beast corpses, but who can really tell with these people?

An older creature, a tree-like being, wearing an armband signifying his nature as a welfare officer observes us closely as we approach. He sits as the only audience to this show, but I have no doubts that he’s ready to step in if he thinks he needs to.

“Today we’ll be ensuring that you all have proper experience in combat,” Freid declares, looking over the anxious crowd, “Remember to keep any beastly urges in check, and try your best not to get injured.”

He then continues by going over the stages of a proper fight, the same advice he’d given Eshya, Vii, and I a few days ago. I’m not sure how many are actually listening, a good half are looking down at the arena in shock, and more than a few others are increasingly confused by the rules we have to fight under.

After his speech is done, Freid points out a student from among those who are frightened and frozen. It’s a girl of a species that’s half elvish and half plant. Or at least half elvish makes more sense than half human, for what that’s worth.

I mean how is it even possible?

Did some ancient elf get a bunch of flowers with a proposal, and somehow end up marrying the bouquet?

“You, go grab a weapon and get in the arena.” Freid says, breaking me from my reverie, “Don’t waste time. Now!”

The student jumps, and clearly used to taking directions, she heads down to the weapons racks to find something to work with. The sight of the weapons freezes her again, and it takes a bit more prodding until she’s thrust into the sands of the pit with a wooden stick in her hands.

I hope it’s not some dead relative of hers…

At Freids call, the gates opposite open up at the hands of a few older students. My anxiety has faded, as that little ball of rage bounces around inside me, but the rest of the class is whispering nervously as they watch. All of us are waiting for some horror to come crawling out at us.

We needn’t wait for long. With a little chittering, the beast makes itself known, walking out onto the arena sands.

It’s a rat, or it looks to be similar.

It’s big for a rat, but small for a beast. The red fur and long face quickly show that it’s not the same breeds as pester us back home.

When it notices the student it’s face opens wide like the petals of a flower, at least six flesh flaps unravel in a spiral. An eye on the back of each, hooked teeth lining the inside, and a shifting sphincter of a throat that it proudly puts on display like guys sharing dick-picks on a dating app.

The student screams, dropping her sword and running to the closed gate that the older students refuses to open, ignoring her pleas and cries.

“It can’t kill you.” Freid says, unfazed by her screams, “You would do well to turn and face the beast.”

She doesn’t, and I can understand why. His argument is rather weak, and I’m sure she could offer some perfectly valid rebuttals if there wasn’t a crazed demon rat crawling up to her.

Instead, she just screams louder. I have a feeling that won’t change his mind.

I consider, briefly, stepping in to help her, but now’s not the time for a revolution. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ll only risk as much if it’s my friends and lovers on the line.

I have to chase the image of a certain goat-girl from my mind.

I was too weak then.

I’m still too weak now.

The ‘rat’ seeing the student pleading out of the fight, recognises her as prey rather than a threat. It gains confidence and charges right at her.

The wide-open flaps snap closed on her butt, inspiring further screaming. I watch on while gripping the railing to the arena.

I hate being in the audience, but I watch controlling my breathing and observing closely. Now isn’t the time to act.

Thankfully, the beast doesn’t do anything much more. We’re left standing and watching for the next half a minute as the student cries, pleading for help while the rat hangs off of her ass.

While she’s clearly terrified, it doesn’t seem to me like it hurts all that much. Not until she tries to peel it off at least.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Freid declares, stepping into the arena and peeling the creature off of her. The hooked teeth seem surprisingly easy to pry off, though he’s probably got practice.

There’s little blood staining her pants, so I have to assume that the rat was was barely able to bite through her clothes.

“Next up, Kyra. This little guy hasn’t had enough, so see what you can do.” I’m only a little surprised to be thrown into another fight, but I’m instantly conflicted.

It seems like it’ll be an easier fight than the slime.

But it is so much uglier.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stats & Skills

~Mana Form:

Current goal: Develop your mana form.

Current mana density: 333 units

~Mana distribution:

Skin: 21%

Muscle: 8%

Mind: 12%

Cardiovascular: 8%

Misc.: 3%

Efficiency: 52%

~Skills:

-Mana drain touch

-Mana skin

-Mana shield.

-Mana surge strike

-Mana surge kick

-Flame burst

-Fireball

-Infused Delayed Casting

-Harsh petting

-Chaos dance