“You can all call me Principal Lin. Here, you will all learn the basic skills you will need to survive in the world.” The man says as he waves his hands. Suddenly, an information screen popped up in front of everyone’s eyes. “In front of you are the courses you will be attending and their times and locations. You can recheck this information in your Character Info book, under the Quests page. The name of the classes naturally correspond with the names of the skills or sets of skills you will be learning. As for the Battle Experience course; that is naturally for you to get experience points and level up. The beasts you will be fighting will be set to your level.” The man says, giving some basic information on the course.

Zellin looks at the courses. The courses were Cooking, Archery, Close Combat, Basic Medicine, and Battle Experience.

The courses were spread out over six days with different classes on different days, which Zellin assumes would rotate as they went along. There was only one class a day which suited Zellin’s nature quite well. The last day was even a rest day. But of course Zellin wouldn’t spend all this time doing nothing. It’s just that he didn’t like to be restricted, and liked to do things when he felt like it. No one likes to feel as if they weren’t in control of their lives.

“You’ve been given some time before class to get to know each other so that you can make friends. As for its purpose; it’s so you would arrange yourself naturally and possibly pick out some potential roommates. In this world, it’s best to find teammates who you can get along with and whose skills compliment your own. In this way, it will be easier for you to survive.” Principal Lin explains with a stern expression.

“You may choose up to 3 dorm mates, all together making 4 of you. If you’re a girl, be wary to choose any of your boy classmates. Boys are the natural predator of women. Remember girls, all boys are naturally wolves. You’re better off choosing 3 girls to be your dorm mates.” Principal Lin says with a straight face. “If you wish to be alone, you can request to do so, and if you wish to live as a group of 3 or 2, that’s also allowed.”

Zellin looks to Reyal and nods, then watches as Reyal nods back. Like this, they tacitly understood that they would be roommates. Liu nervously watches this from above before speaking out, “Hey, guys, don’t leave me out. I know we started off badly but I’m sure we’ll soon be brothers. Let me in the dorm too.” Liu didn’t know anyone when he came so he sat alone, and he didn’t know that the long time they waited was for choosing roommates. As he heard Principal Lin talk about survival he suddenly got nervous, regretting that he insulted the only people he talked to.

“Sure, you can be our roommate, but you’ll have to call me Boss from now on.” Reyal replies with a mischievous grin. Liu’s suddenly looks conflicted. One part of him wanted to beat this guy up for even suggesting it, but the other part really wanted to be a part of the dorm.

“Don’t mind him. Of course we can be dorm brothers. In the future our team name the Three Mage Rulers will resound throughout the world.” Zellin responds with a smile.

Liu’s face suddenly turns sour. “Who wants to be a mage!? I’d rather be a chicken.” Liu replies, his natural disposition coming out.

At this point, a shy looking girl walks towards them. “Hey, do you guys want to be roommates?”

Reyal, this way too precocious kid, suddenly beams, a perverted grin on his face. This will be the first step for my future harem, he thought as he nods his head. “Of course, of course. How could we turn away a helpless girl like you. You don’t know this but I’m actually a prince from a far away land. As such, it’s my duty to save a beautiful princess like you.”

Zellin gave Reyal a strange look. Isn’t this kid already way too perverted for his age? He thought, while also wondering if it was a good idea to associate himself with this kid.

The little girl suddenly let out a seemingly innocent smile. “Really? Thanks! But you guys have to remember that I’m already Level 3, and I’m training to be an assassin. So if you look at me funny again I’ll cut you in your sleep.” She says, her smile suddenly looking a lot colder.

Reyal suddenly starts to sweat and his back became drenched, as a fear of women started to grow in his heart. Isn’t this girl’s innocent smile totally different from her nature? I’ll definitely never look at this girl like that again! Reyal thought in fear.

As Liu saw this he suddenly burst out laughing. “I like this girl. She’s really funny. Hey, what’s your name?” He asks.

“Coral.” The girl replied with a deadly smile.

Liu and Zellin also introduced to themselves, after which they looked at Reyal who was still sweating. “Ah… I’m… Reyal.” He forces out.

“Nice to meet you all.” She replies with a slight bow.

“Okay, okay, children. Form a line to get your room keys. Classes will start tomorrow morning.” Principal Lin calls out. “If you get lost finding your dorm, ask someone. I’m not your mother, and this is a school; you're meant to grow up.” The group of children then formed a line and went to get their keys.

As Zellin’s group approached, Principal Lin raises his eyebrow in suspicion. “Little girl, did these boys offer you candy to be in their group? Do you know how gross boys are? It’s naturally best to stay as far away from them as possible.” Principal Lin warns.

“Don’t worry Principal Lin. They already understand never to look at me funny, under threat of death.” The girl replies with her natural innocent smile.

Principal Lin nods in approval. “That’s a good girl. Since you boys have a girl in your group, you’ll be given a larger living space. Each of you will have your own room and a shared living space and kitchen; with two bathrooms. Here’s your keys.” Principal Lin says as four keys magically appear in his hand.

It took a while to find their room as they had to ask for directions a few times; the academy was a pretty big place. When they arrived, Zellin saw that their living space was pretty nice. It was nicely decorated and spacious. Zellin sat on the couch and let out an approving, “Hmm…” He was very pleased with the comfort of the couch. The others also sat down on the couches around the circular glass table.

“So what are your guys’ levels and skills?” Coral asks curiously. “I, myself, am Level 3. My skills would be Silent Steps, Dagger Proficiency, and Dual Wield Proficiency. I’ve been leveling since I was 4 years old. I’m currently six.” Coral says with a dainty voice.

Zellin raises an eyebrow before speaking. Is it me, or are the kids on this world way more mature for their age? Or is it just considering my experience from Earth? He wonders. “I’m Level 2.” Zellin began. “My skills are Contract, Sprint, and I also have Dagger Proficiency. I got the Sprint skill from constantly running away from monsters.” Zellin continues, quite proud of himself. “I’m also six this year. Also I have two pets. Leggy the Poisonous Spider Hatchling and Rocky the Wolf Cub.”

Next was Reyal. “I’m Level 2. My skills are Preserve, and Cooking. And I’m currently 7 years old.” Reyal introduces, slightly shy about his achievements.

Everyone then looks to Liu whose face starts to turn red before turning his head to the side and snorting. “Hmph! Your achievements aren’t much. It’s not like I’m Level 0 with no skills whatsoever. It isn’t like my only achievements were an increase in my Endurance stat from forcing myself to play with my toy sword even when I was tired. Hmph! Hmph! It’s not like I’m not as impressive as you guys!” Liu calls out, clearly embarrassed.

The others simply responded with a few chuckles. Zellin even shook his head, thinking, such a sad story…

After the awkward silence, Coral suddenly had an idea. “Hey, Zellin. Since you’re the only one with fighting capabilities, do you want to have a spar?” She asks with some eagerness.

When Zellin saw that smile he instantly became fearful. “Spar with you? No way! A spar to you is probably a death match to others! You’ll probably end up killing all my pets before I can get you to stop! Don’t put on that sad face; I know there’s hidden killing intent behind those sad eyes.” Zellin immediately rejects, fearful for the lives of his pets and himself.

“Hmph!” Coral exclaims. “Party pooper!” She calls out, sounding spoiled.

Wow, Zellin thought. This kid’s cute with everything she does. But she’s definitely evil. She probably plays tag by stabbing other kids in the back, calling out, ‘You’re it!’

“Then should we go to the forest and hunt some beasts?” Coral suggests with a lick of herself. She was a little hungry for some blood.

“Hmm…” Zellin responds, in thought. “Sure! We can even get some experience for this useless guy. Even if Liu doesn’t kill anything, we can still form a party and he’ll also get some experience.”

Coral suddenly frowns at the thought. “Do we have to? How about we just let whoever killed it get the experience?” Coral suggests.

”Be a good girl and don’t be greedy! Come on let’s go; if you behave I’ll give you candy later.” Zellin says firmly causing Coral to frown. What? Are you my dad? Coral thought as she got off the couch and follows.

Zellin couldn't help himself. They looked like kids, so he treated them like kids. He reproved her and gave her a goal with possible rewards; the building blocks of any well-disciplined child. Unfortunately this was received by Coral in a totally different manner than if it was said by an elder, as Zellin was Coral’s age.

It took about an hour for the group to reach the forest outskirts where they began to hunt.

“So how should we do this?” Reyal asks.

Zellin had thought about this on the way here, so a plan had already begun to form. He talked it over with the others, who nodded in agreement.

“Okay! Sounds good.” Coral responds.

“Right, take positions. I’ll be back shortly.” Says Zellin before quietly moving into the forest.

Zellin quickly finds some fresh tracks which led him to the distant Level 3 Tusked Boar. Zellin circled around it from a distance before slowly sneaking up to it, trying to make the least noise possible. When he neared the edge of the clearing he bolted, activating Sprint which increased his max speed by 30%, and struck out at the boar.

The fat boar was then stabbed in the butt causing it to squeal loudly. It turned around, intent on killing Zellin. But Zellin immediately uses his Sprint skill to run as fast as he could, back into the forest.

Zellin ran for several minutes, sometimes slowing down so that the boar wouldn’t lose hope. Gaining ground caused it to excitedly run even faster, not aware that it was being lured. Suddenly, a white sticky glob shot out to intercept the boar, spreading out into a wide web and trapping the boar inside. The boar struggled for a while before breaking out of the webs, but at this point Rocky was already upon it, attempting to bite at its neck. Coral also appears at this time, sending a fierce flurry of stabs at the Tusked Boar’s back with her dual daggers, instantly becoming drenched in the boar’s blood. It wasn’t long before the boar’s squeals grew quiet and it died before them.

“Reyal, quickly!” Zellin calls out.

Reyal immediately appears and uses his Preserve skill before continuing to butcher the boar and gather its remains to sell later. It was much more profitable that way.

Liu also walks out at this point, nodding his head in approval. “Good job, guys. You did really good work. Good thing it wasn’t too tough for you, or else I’d have to come out and embarrass you. You wouldn’t want to look weak in front of a girl, right?” Liu asks rhetorically.

Reyal snorts. “Scrawny, compared to Coral, this blood-drenched girl, you’re lower on the food chain than this boar.” Reyal scolds, as he looked at Coral’s grim appearance and shivered slightly.

“Yeah, Coral. Since when did you get so fierce. I’m pretty sure I saw you smiling as you were slicing apart the boar. I dread to think of how your childhood was like.” Zellin said, shaking his head.

“Of course not! Killing is very serious business; of course I wouldn’t smile!” She says as she puffs out her cheeks.

Zellin continues to shake his head. So deadly, yet so cute… Zellin thought to himself.

They continued to hunt for quite a while before stopping to eat lunch, allowing Reyal to cook some Tusked Boar meat for them. They had killed quite a few recently.

Zellin looks off to the side as he bit into the boar meat and saw Liu pouting. “What’s wrong?” He asks as he chewed.

“Ah,” Liu began, not quite sure how to say it. “It’s just that I’m kind of bored of letting you guys do all the work. Of course, I don’t want to embarrass you with my might though.”

Zellin simply smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I won’t be too embarrassed; just don’t do anything too skillful. How about you take the lead for a while with Leggy to assist?” Zellin asks. Reyal shook his head at the side. He didn’t support feeding Liu’s ego.

“Really?” Liu blurts out excitedly before coughing slightly. “I mean, really? Hunting monsters of this level is kind of tedious.” He continues in a calmer and slightly disdaining attitude.

“Come on.” Zellin urges. “Actually we’re all kind of tired, so if you could help out, that’d be a big help.”

Liu simply sighs. “Alright, if you say so.”

“Do you want to borrow my dagger?” Zellin asks. But Liu shook his head as he tapped the air twice, opening his Inventory screen and took out a longsword from thin air.

The Inventory menu actually works as if you were carrying items without actually carrying them. With more things in your inventory, the heavier your steps will be, but it’s still convenient as you don’t actually have to carry anything. It’s most useful if you had to transport something like a table; you can carry it but it’s actually kind of awkward to walk around with it. With an Inventory, all you’d have to suffer was a slightly heavier weight. Zellin was pretty amazed when he realized this simple function of this world.

To most others, the longsword was a longsword, but to Liu it was a large two-handed sword. Liu struggles to lift it with an excited look on his face. “Come on, let’s go now!” He calls out.

Zellin let out a grin at Liu’s excitement as he stood up and wiped his hands on his pants. He gave a signal to Leggy before heading out with Liu, leaving the others behind to finish eating.

Eventually they found a Level 1 Fox and Zellin had Leggy confront it with a sticky white web. Leggy then moved forward as the fox struggled to break free of the web. Before breaking through, Leggy had already bit his fangs into its neck, releasing a paralytic poison. This poison wasn’t very strong, but it was enough to slow it down, causing the fox to feel as if its limbs were 5 times as heavy.

“AHHH!!!” Liu let out a battle cry as he charges from behind a tree.