"Well! I see there are some calm powers here, haha!" Professor Zemus said, laughing loudly. "No problem about the sphere. There are other, more effective ones I can request."
"Now that you know a bit more about your classmates' abilities and power levels, let's move on to a broader study of the characteristics linked to their races. To understand these characteristics, we'll look at what we call 'stats'," the professor said. He used a crystal in his hand, which clearly served as a remote for the giant mana screen. On the screen appeared a humanoid silhouette with text on the right side.
"Every creature — whether races, animals, or even monsters — has what we call 'stats'. These stats determine the relative power of each being and allow us to compare them. Think of them as the building blocks of a creature's power and abilities."
"Could one of you tell me how many stats a being has?" the professor asked.
"Yes, Miss Erina," he said after seeing her raise her hand.
"There are 7 stats in total. Energy reserve, strength, resistance, ability multipliers, speed, agility, and finally psyche," she answered.
"No doubt about it, she knows a lot," Arwyna whispered to another elf while staring at Erina.
"Excellent answer, Miss Erina. I'm not going to ask you to memorize all of this on the first day. Some of you may already know what stats are and how important they are in combat, while others may never have needed to know until now. But I think a quick reminder would be useful," the professor said.
"This is an extremely powerful magic crystal capable of detecting the characteristics of each race in the class compared to the others," he explained while waving the spherical crystal in his hand.
"Every race, please group up. Mr. Areyos, you won't be counted. Same for you, Mr. Klaus. You might disrupt the general analysis of the class," the professor ordered.
The different groups quickly formed. You could see confidence on the Metaryons' faces, but fear on the faces of the other races. Each of the four races had 100 students, for a total of 400. However, the number of humans and Metaryons was reduced because Klaus and I were excluded from the analysis. We had just discovered that I wasn't a Metaryon, and we weren't sure about Klaus's humanity either since the sphere had exploded before giving his results. This brought the number of Metaryons and humans down to 99 each.
"Very good. I will now begin the analysis. I'll scan all the groups, then we'll see together which races are the best in each stat. This will allow you all to adapt your fighting style depending on the type of opponent in front of you."
The professor started the analysis, and silence fell over the training ground. All the students had their eyes fixed on the giant mana screen while the professor swept the crystal in front of the groups.
"Many of them look stressed," Yoko noted.
"That's normal. As Metaryons, we don't realize it, but we have many advantages over the other races, and they seem to have understood that. So they're fearing the worst," Kaiser argued.
"The worst? What do you mean?"
"Knowing something and truly realizing it are two different things. For example, you can tell a kid not to play with fire because it's dangerous. He'll think fire is dangerous because you told him so. But it's only when he actually gets burned that he'll truly understand why. That confirms his fears. In the same way, the other races think Metaryons are very powerful, but it's only after the analysis and the actual fights that they'll really realize it."
"I understand better now," Yoko replied, her eyes scanning the stressed faces of the students.
"Perfect, the analysis is complete. We'll now look at the results. We'll start with the first stat: Energy Reserve."
| Energy Reserve:
- Aegyls: 60% of the class
- Elves: 20% of the class
- Metaryons: 15% of the room
- Humans: 5% of the room |
"What?!?!" the Metaryons exclaimed, including Kaiser, Yoko, and me.
"They alone represent 60% of the class's energy reserve! I was told they had a huge energy reserve, but I didn't imagine it was this much," Yoko said in shock.
"60%?!... That's a lot..." Arwyna said, surprised.
"With such an energy reserve, I can't even imagine the kind of attacks they can launch," Kaiser added calmly.
"You don't look that surprised," Yoko said.
"I am surprised, but it's just that..." He stopped and looked at me in the distance.
"Things would be different if he was included," he added, still looking at me.
"Ahh, yeah, that's true. Too bad he wasn't counted as a Metaryon," Yoko said, also looking at me.
"Well, I didn't think the Metaryons would rank so low, haha," an Aegyl said, looking at Troy.
"They got too cocky," Corvus added, closing his eyes with a serious expression.
"Don't celebrate too soon. There are still 6 stats left, you bastards," Troy replied angrily.
"Silence!" the professor shouted. "Let's move on to the next stats."
| Strength and Resistance:
- Metaryons: 70% of the class
- Aegyls: 16% of the class
- Elves: 8% of the room
- Humans: 6% of the room |
"70%?! In two stats?!" the students exclaimed in shock.
"Are you really surprised? You don't reach these stats by being vegan or monks," Troy and his friends mocked, making the other Metaryons laugh.
"Hey! Not all elves are vegan!" an elf shouted.
"And not all Aegyls are monks either, you dirty bastard!" an Aegyl yelled.
"Say whatever you want, but it won't change the fact that to us, you are as fragile as spaghetti. Don't worry, we'll try not to one-shot you, haha."
While everyone was throwing insults at each other, the humans remained particularly calm, and fear was visible on their faces. That was normal since they were last in three different stats. When I looked up, I noticed two people on the balcony of the training ground. I recognized Director Gold and a woman dressed in a black jacket and skirt.
"Probably an assistant," I thought.
Director Gold's Point of View
----------------------------------
"How is the analysis going?" I asked my assistant Hilda.
"Well, the Metaryons seem to be the strongest in this year based on the individual and group analyses so far. But there are three intriguing students, and one of them appears to be a hybrid," Hilda replied.
"A hybrid? Like the elf princess?" I asked.
"Yes, but there's a big difference. The analysis couldn't give us the different races of this student," she said, handing me the magic tablet.
"His name is Areyos Mendoris," she added.
"Mendoris? As in General Barrios Mendoris?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, sir."
"Interesting... He has quite interesting elements. Water, fire, and earth all active at the same time? He's not human," I added while looking at the tablet.
"Indeed. But the strange thing is that he's not a Metaryon either," Hilda informed me.
"What? Mmm... So you adopted a son, Barrios," I thought, looking at the question marks on the two unknown races of the young man.
"I'm going to pay a little visit to an old friend. I want Areyos Mendoris in my office after class," I said, crossing eyes with that student who was clearly set apart because of his unique traits.
"And the other one next to Areyos? Who is he?" I asked Hilda, a bit surprised I hadn't noticed him right away.
"His name is Klaus Varray. He was excluded because his power made the analysis sphere explode. The professor ordered the one used by the army, and it should arrive soon. Therefore, he won't be part of the analysis, just like Areyos."
"This is crazy. This year is by far the strongest I've had so far," I said, stroking my beard.
Areyos's Point of View
-----------------------------
I met the director's gaze and immediately understood he was talking about me. "This doesn't smell good," I said, looking at the sky.
"Let's move on to the next stats," the professor shouted.
| Speed and Agility:
- Aegyls: 65%
- Metaryons: 20%
- Humans: 10%
- Elves: 5% |
| Psyche:
- Humans: 60%
- Aegyls: 25%
- Elves: 10%
- Metaryons: 5% |
"Okay, I wasn't expecting results like this," Kaiser said, surprised.
"The humans alone represent 60% of the class's psyche," he added.
"Sir! What is psyche?" a human asked.
"What?! They're first in this category but they don't even know what it is," Troy mocked.
"If I were him, I wouldn't mock that," I thought.
"Well, psyche is essentially the energy source used in non-physical techniques. It also plays a role in non-physical characteristics, such as the ability to see spirits, for example. It provides psychic protection to the user. For instance, it allows the user to protect themselves from psychic powers like blood control, mind control, or even bone control — of course, provided you have more psychic energy than your attacker. It is by far the most important stat, and if your psychic energy falls below a certain threshold, you will faint."
"Eh... and if it runs out completely?" Arwyna asked.
"That would mean your mind is destroyed, and therefore you die," the professor said.
"Psychic powers all use psyche if I understood correctly, Professor?" Yoko asked.
"Exactly. Whether it's astral projection, spiritual manipulation, mystic powers, illusions, blood and bone mastery, or the ability to influence your own energy system... This is why humans who develop other elemental natures can, through the transition process, change the nature of their chi to use another element. Racial transformations also require a certain manipulation of one's own energy system. And all of this is only possible thanks to psyche."
"Racial transformations?" a human asked.
"Yes. Humans have no racial transformations, which is probably why you've never heard of them. Other races can reach higher power levels by transforming," the professor explained.
"Wait, Professor! Are you saying humans have a better chance of mastering bone bending if they have an earth elemental chi??" Arwyna asked.
"That's correct," the professor said with a smile.
"Also, a high psyche is synonymous with high intelligence. So you'd better not underestimate anyone in this class. At any moment, a Metaryon can be outsped by an Aegyl," he added with a smile.
"So you survive against someone who masters bone bending by having higher psychic power," Arwyna murmured.
"Let's move on to practice now, if you will," Professor Zemus said.
"An Aegyl versus a Metaryon. Mr. Corvus versus..." The professor stopped, searching among the students for Corvus's opponent.
"Please not me, not me, not me," Yoko repeated quickly, crossing her fingers with her eyes closed.
"Mr. Troy!"
From his expression, it was clear Troy didn't want to be chosen — especially not now that he knew what to expect when facing an Aegyl, and especially Corvus.
Troy Rocklander's Point of View
----------------------------------------
"Shit... why did it have to be me... I'm gonna get destroyed... this guy is 5th in the class after all," I thought. "But if I can land a well-placed punch, that should do it," I thought again, sweating.
I could hear the students whispering and mocking me. But that was the least of my worries... In front of me stood Corvus, piercing me with his gaze.
"Professor Zemus, can I quickly go to the bathroom? It's urgent," I asked, trying to get out of the situation. All the students laughed at me. All except the one who was about to send me to the afterlife. He just stood there staring at me without saying a word. No doubt, he was determined to skin me alive.
"You can't fool me," the professor said.
"Let the duel begin!" he added.
I concentrated my fire chi in my right hand and launched a torrent of flames toward Corvus, who didn't seem to want to move. My flames hit him directly, creating a medium-sized explosion. The Aegyls looked shocked at first, then suddenly started smiling. It was only when I saw the shock in my friends' eyes that I realized something was wrong. Their gazes weren't on me, but behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw him — completely unharmed, with the same piercing look. It was Corvus. He had dodged my attack with incredible speed and circled behind me without me noticing. I quickly turned and sent a second fire torrent with my left hand this time. He dodged again by shifting to my right, created a lightning orb in his left hand, and charged at me. I quickly created an earth wall between us, but it was useless. He shattered my wall and hit me directly in the face with the orb, sending me flying far away. I bounced several times before landing on the ground. I was about to get up when I suddenly heard a rumble in the sky. I looked up and realized his combo wasn't over. Dark clouds had formed and were clearly charged with electricity.
"You are pathetic," he said, hovering in the air with his large wings spread in the darkened sky, his right arm stretched toward the charged clouds. I knew what was coming. I protected myself with an earth shield, knowing I couldn't escape lightning.
Kaiser's Point of View
-------------------------
"It's useless. Corvus's power is far superior to Troy's defense. His lightning will destroy Troy's shield and knock him out. Unless Troy has a good ability multiplier," I told Yoko.
"An ability multiplier? What is that?" she asked.
"An ability multiplier is a psychic attribute that allows you to multiply the power of a technique as you master and use it, without spending more energy," I answered.
"I'm not sure I understand," Arwyna said.
"What Mr. Kaiser means is that the techniques a fighter uses the most become more powerful with the same amount of energy. If two fire masters spend the same amount of energy to generate a flame, the one with the higher ability multiplier will produce a hotter, more powerful flame. Ability multipliers work this way for all elements and all energy systems."
"So unless Troy has a very good multiplier for his earthbending, he has no chance of surviving this attack..." Yoko understood.
"You can give up. Looking at the combo he just did, that lightning he's been charging is most likely a technique he uses often," I said seriously.
"But then why is he charging it for so long? It's almost been two minutes," Arwyna asked.
"Maybe he's looking for an opening," Yoko said.
"No. He's increasing the ability multipliers of his technique to make sure his opponent doesn't come out unharmed," Erina said with a smile.
"What?!" Arwyna, Yoko, and I exclaimed.
"Next time, don't underestimate Aegyls," Corvus said in a calm, cold voice as he lowered his hand toward Troy, who was hidden behind his earth shield. A loud thunderclap rang out, destroying Troy's earth shield and knocking him out instantly. The professor quickly went to check if Troy was okay. I glanced at Corvus, who gave a satisfied smile. His name was shouted in cheers by all the Aegyls.
"His condition is quite critical. He'll need to be taken to the infirmary," the professor said seriously.
"Hey! You didn't have to do that!" Yoko shouted at Corvus.
"I thought he would be more resistant since he's a Metaryon," he replied mockingly.
"Calm down, Yoko. We'll play the same game as him," I told Yoko.
"Pray that you and I never meet," I said to Corvus, looking him straight in the eyes.
"A budding rivalry, how interesting," the professor said, stroking his beard while watching us.
"Rivalry? Excuse me, Professor, but I only have one rival. And even if I didn't, Corvus would still need to be roughly at my level first," I replied.
"What are you implying, you worthless trash?" Corvus asked, clearly angry at what I had just said.
"I mean that if we ever fought, I would crush you so fast that even with your speed, you wouldn't see it coming."
"Want to bet?" he replied, spreading his wings, ready to charge at me.
"Come on, I'm waiting," I said, igniting my aura.
But at that moment, a red glow emanated from my eyes, turning the golden color of my irises into a bright red with only a thin golden line directly surrounding my pupil.
"Kaiser? What's happening to you?" Yoko asked, scared.
Corvus hesitated for a moment but still charged at me.
"No! Young man! Get out of his field of vision!!!!" a tall, muscular man with a large sword on his back shouted as he arrived from afar, carrying a box in his arm. Corvus quickly shifted to his right, leaving only his left wing in my field of vision. A golden line crossed my right iris vertically from top to bottom. I felt extreme pain in my right eye, forcing me to cover it with my hand, head lowered. I hadn't yet realized what I had done. Until I raised my head and, with my left eye, saw a vertical cut on the far wall surrounding the training ground. I looked around and saw horror in the others' eyes. But their gazes weren't on me — they were on Corvus.
"He... he cut off one of his wings..." Arwyna said, shocked.
"What the...? Did I do that...?" I said, extremely confused.
"Hey kid, you okay?" the big man from earlier asked while examining Corvus's severed wing.
"I'm fine. You saved my life. I wouldn't have reacted in time if you hadn't warned me. Don't worry about my wing. It will grow back in a day," Corvus thanked him.
"We need to stop the bleeding for now," the mysterious man said.
"Kaiser, are you okay?" Yoko asked.
"I'm fine. Just a sudden migraine, that's all," I replied.
"What's up with your eyes, man?" Areyos asked. He had come closer to see what was happening.
"What do you mean, what's up with my eyes?" I asked, confused. He described the appearance of my eyes. All eyes were on me while Corvus and Troy were being taken to the infirmary.
"You must be Kaiser Mendoris," the big man said as he approached me.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Dante Zaron, Commander of the Elite Forces of the Kingdom of Baringer."
"The Commander of the Elite Forces!!!" the entire class exclaimed, especially Yoko.
"Mr. Dante Zaron!! I'm Yoko, your biggest fan!" Yoko said, shaking the commander's hand with stars in her eyes.
"Hahaha, nice to meet you, Miss Yoko," he said with a smile.
"What is my old friend doing here?" the professor asked, smiling.
"Old friend?!" the class exclaimed in surprise.
"How are you, Zemus?" Dante asked.
"Well, as you can see, it's been intense. This is by far the most complicated class I've had since the time we trained rookies in the army," the professor replied while shaking Dante's hand.
"Hahaha, I see. Speaking of which, when I heard the academy needed an advanced analysis device using the army's database, I asked to bring it personally to say hello. Looks like I arrived just in time, otherwise I would have missed the awakening of the Kengan, Kaiser's Sword Eye."
"The Kengan? So it's not a myth?" the professor exclaimed.
"What is it?" I asked Commander Dante.
"Your father is the best person to answer that, Mr. Kaiser," he replied, handing the box to the professor.
"Goodbye, my old friend. I have urgent matters to attend to. Good luck with your class," the commander said to the professor.
"Thank you, Dante. Take care," the professor replied as the commander left.
"We've seen enough for a first day of class," the professor said with a sigh.
"We'll meet again the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, go pick up your uniforms from the laundry room. Now that we have all the data on you, we've made uniforms adapted to each of you, equipped with magic runes to minimize damage during training. Remember everything we learned today. It will be the foundation for every fight you'll have in the future. Also, you should look for weapons that suit you for the rest of the year. We'll learn how to use them properly, and there will even be duels. We'll close the lesson here. Mr. Kaiser Mendoris, Mr. Areyos Mendoris, and Mr. Klaus Varray, please come forward. We will analyze you a second time."
| Name: Kaiser Mendoris
Energy System: Ki, Chi, and Chakra
Race: Metaryon
Active Bendings: Earth, metal, fire, lava, and lightning
Other Abilities: Dōkō: Kengan, ninjutsu |
| Name: Areyos Orionis
Energy System: Ki, Chi, and Chakra
Race: Devas + ??????
Active Bendings: Water, ice, earth, fire, lightning, and healing
Other: Dōkō: ??????????, Ninjutsu |
| Name: Klaus Varray
Energy System: Chi and Chakra
Race: Devas
Active Bendings: Water, earth, fire, air, shadow, and gravity
Other: Clones, intangibility |
To be continued...