Chapter 17: Revelations Galore
(Zesher POV)
Those who judge others will find themselves so judged.
Zesher couldn't remember where he had first heard the quote, but it had remained with him for years. He had always considered himself an accepting individual, someone capable of understanding that intelligent beings were rarely as simple as good or evil.
In his mind, it was that very duality that separated truly intelligent races from the beasts commonly hunted throughout the world.
Strategy could be taught or learned. Even intelligence itself could increase as a beast grew stronger and accumulated experience.
But only the natural fluidity of emotions could truly mark a race as intelligent.
Beasts could certainly develop complex emotions, especially once they reached higher levels of strength. Yet more often than not, they still struggled to truly comprehend the contradictions hidden within human nature.
Simply put, most of them were idiots.
A naturally gentle beast might become so kind that it allowed others to manipulate it, sometimes even harming itself for those with questionable intentions. On the opposite end, an overly violent beast could become infamous through sheer aggression, only to eventually offend some existence powerful enough to erase it.
Even extraordinarily intelligent beasts sometimes fell victim to basic schemes because they failed to understand how emotion, pride, desperation, and countless other invisible factors could influence a person's decisions.
Zesher had heard that things were different on the Beast Continent, but those creatures were an entirely separate matter.
As far as Zesher was concerned, the ability to show kindness in one moment and cruelty in the next was one of the clearest signs of true intelligence. Contradictory emotions, conflicting loyalties, and constantly shifting motivations were simply part of being human.
With all that said...
Zesher was beginning to hate that very same duality after meeting his new teammates.
Things had started wonderfully.
His group contained the four highest-ranked students in the class. As the current number one, Zesher had initially believed he would be able to pull them together and lead their team to the absolute top of Heaven Class.
Those expectations had changed rather quickly.
The moment the teachers explained the requirements placed upon their newly formed groups, Zesher had realized this arrangement wasn't nearly as simple as their rankings suggested.
As a future secret weapon of the Emperor, Zesher had been taught from a young age to search beneath the surface of everything he encountered. He had also heard more than a few stories regarding the infamous teaching methods used by Aserx Royal Academy's Heaven Class.
Because of that, he hadn't been particularly surprised to discover that each of his teammates carried secrets capable of causing problems for their future cooperation.
He simply hadn't expected those secrets to be this ridiculous.
At this point, Zesher was beginning to wonder whether some divine existence was watching everything from above and finding great amusement in his suffering.
One of his teammates suspected that the Emperor might somehow be connected to the murder of his family.
That alone created an incredibly complicated situation for someone who had spent most of his life being trained to serve, respect, and eventually protect that very Emperor.
His second teammate was apparently the sole disciple of a legendary assassin.
Under normal circumstances, Zesher might have found that fascinating.
Unfortunately, his own parents had been killed by assassins.
That small detail gave him a rather complicated feeling every time he looked at Derrick now.
And then there was Alicia.
Zesher's expression remained stiff as he remembered the secret the elven princess had just revealed.
Forget everything else.
How was he supposed to remain flexible and appreciate the duality of human nature when his new teammates had managed to inspire little besides surprise, confusion, and growing anxiety?
Normally, Zesher prided himself on remaining calm regardless of the circumstances.
Now he was beginning to wonder whether all those compliments the Emperor and his teachers had given him over the years were nothing more than nonsense.
For what felt like the hundredth time today, Zesher found himself frowning in contemplation.
Considering the entire purpose of their current exercise was supposedly to establish trust, he decided against immediately replacing his usual gentle smile.
It wouldn't exactly help if he began obviously hiding his emotions only seconds after everyone had exposed something important about themselves.
He could already feel Derrick's sharp gaze passing over him every now and then.
Zesher glanced toward the boy.
Part of him wondered whether Derrick had something to say.
Another part wanted to tape both his eyes and mouth shut.
Derrick immediately flinched when their gazes met.
Zesher's frown deepened.
Can he read my mind, or did he somehow notice something he wasn't supposed to?
That possibility alone created several new problems he had no desire to deal with.
Deciding he would seriously consider the advantages and disadvantages of his current situation later, Zesher forced himself to return his attention to the matter at hand.
Alicia had just entrusted them with an incredibly serious secret.
Even now, Zesher couldn't decide whether the information was important enough that his loyalty demanded he report it or personal enough that honoring their newly established trust took priority.
He glanced toward Alicia.
Even she seemed to be suffering from second thoughts.
Zesher couldn't blame her.
Revealing something like that to people she had known for less than a day was an enormous gamble.
After several moments, Alicia shook her head slightly.
Apparently, she had reached the same conclusion the rest of them had.
The information was already out.
Worrying about whether revealing it had been a mistake wouldn't put the words back into her mouth.
"So, now that everyone has shared one major secret, we should probably start discussing what plans we have for the future of our team."
Zesher's attention shifted toward Lyon.
The boy had allowed nearly five minutes of silence to pass while everyone processed the absurd amount of information exchanged between them.
Now, somehow, he was acting like nothing unusual had happened.
"I know it's a little early," Lyon continued, "but the sooner we understand each other's combat styles and how they operate, the better off we'll be in the long run."
Zesher had to admire Lyon's adaptability.
Or at least his ability to pretend he wasn't bothered.
Throughout the entire exchange, with the exception of Lyon's brief confrontation with Zesher himself, the boy had maintained an almost unreadable expression.
Eventually, Zesher's curiosity won.
"Were you already aware of our secrets?"
Lyon turned toward him.
Zesher continued before the boy could answer.
"I only ask because you've seemed completely unbothered by almost everything we've heard."
Lyon stared at him with genuine confusion.
"To be honest, if I had the resources necessary to uncover the kinds of secrets you guys just told me, then my parents' murderers would've been found a long time ago."
He paused.
"And I probably wouldn't be sitting here right now."
Zesher studied him carefully.
Lyon looked toward Alicia and Derrick before returning his attention to the group.
"The reason I've been so calm is actually pretty simple."
He shrugged.
"It doesn't matter."
Three expressions immediately darkened.
Lyon raised his hands.
"That came out wrong."
Zesher narrowed his eyes.
"I don't mean your secrets aren't important," Lyon clarified. "I'm saying they don't matter to what we're trying to accomplish right now."
That earned their attention.
"Our current goal is the same. Every single one of us needs to survive Hell Month, become an official member of Heaven Class, and eventually become the best students here."
Lyon leaned forward slightly.
"Everything outside that goal can wait."
His expression became more serious.
"Right now, we're too weak to properly deal with most of the problems we just talked about anyway. Breaking our heads worrying about things we can't currently change won't help us."
Zesher's frown slowly disappeared.
Lyon continued.
"We need strength first. Connections too. Once we actually have enough influence to make a difference, then we can worry about assassins, Imperial politics, family problems, national secrets, and whatever other nonsense gets thrown at us."
A small smile appeared on Zesher's face.
When expressed that simply, the answer felt painfully obvious.
Nothing was more important than excelling at the Academy right now.
Even if every one of them suddenly decided to solve their respective problems tomorrow, they lacked both the strength and connections necessary to accomplish much of anything.
The solution was therefore the same regardless of their individual circumstances.
Grow stronger.
Do so as quickly and stably as possible.
Build useful relationships.
Survive Hell Month.
Then officially enter Heaven Class.
Thinking of everything from that perspective, Zesher couldn't help feeling impressed by Lyon's composure.
Perhaps remaining calm throughout everything wasn't as ridiculous as Zesher had originally believed.
"You're entirely right."
Everyone looked toward him.
"In that case, we should do as you suggested earlier."
Zesher straightened.
"I'll start. The cultivation path I've chosen is the Shieldsman Path."
Derrick blinked.
Alicia's eyebrows rose slightly.
"I intend to become the shield that stands between my allies and whatever enemy we face."
Zesher spoke with confidence.
At the very least, for the foreseeable future, he believed he could place a certain amount of trust in the people around him.
Derrick and Alicia continued looking at him with surprise.
Their reactions weren't difficult to understand.
The Shieldsman Path was normally considered heavily defensive.
Given Zesher's performance during their earlier evaluations, most people probably expected him to pursue something far more aggressive.
Lyon, however, looked impressed.
"That's actually an amazing idea."
Zesher paused.
Lyon leaned forward with sudden interest.
"You can use your Darkness ability to absorb or weaken incoming attacks while simultaneously using your Light ability to heal yourself."
His eyes brightened.
"And if you can compensate for the normal mobility problems Shieldsmen have, your Light affinity could let you attack with incredible speed whenever an opening appears."
Zesher stared at him.
Lyon had known him for less than a day.
Yet somehow, he had already formed an unexpectedly accurate understanding of Zesher's abilities and intended fighting style.
Even some of Zesher's previous instructors had failed to immediately recognize the possibilities.
Possibilities that Zesher firmly believed could eventually revolutionize the way people viewed the Shieldsman Path.
His opinion of Lyon changed once again.
There was absolutely no way someone reached such accurate conclusions without previously considering how Light and Darkness could function together.
Derrick's eyes seemed to brighten with realization.
Alicia looked curiously toward Zesher before shifting her attention back to Lyon.
"That's exactly right."
Zesher couldn't keep the enthusiasm from his voice.
"I'm glad you can see the potential."
He clenched one hand.
"It will take time before I can overcome the losses in speed and offensive power that come from following a traditionally defensive route."
A passionate light appeared in his eyes.
"But once I've perfected everything, I intend to become the greatest all-around cultivator of the modern era."
For a moment, Zesher completely forgot that less than ten minutes earlier he had been debating whether he might eventually need to betray the very people sitting around him.
Lyon laughed before looking toward Derrick.
The silent invitation was obvious.
Derrick sighed.
"I'll be following the Assassin Path."
Nobody appeared particularly surprised.
"I might not have the perfect attributes for it," Derrick continued, "but my naturally weak presence and the abilities provided by my Purple Ifrit should make up for that."
His normally reserved demeanor shifted.
"One day, I'll become every bit as good as my master."
A grin appeared.
"Preferably better."
For the first time since meeting him, Zesher felt Derrick's presence become noticeably stronger.
Not physically.
Something about his entire demeanor simply changed when he spoke about the path he had chosen.
There was genuine ambition there.
Alicia apparently noticed it as well.
She gave Derrick a small nod before speaking.
"I'll be pursuing the Kei Mystic Path."
Her decision was immediately understandable.
"My Kei reserves make me especially suited to becoming a one-woman army."
Alicia folded her arms calmly.
"With my Innate Spirits, I'll still be capable of defending myself in close combat when necessary, so I see very few disadvantages in specializing in large-scale Kei techniques."
Her reasoning was considerably more practical than either Derrick's or Zesher's, but the confidence behind her words was no weaker.
Given the twin spirits that provided her with nearly twice the Kei reserves of an ordinary cultivator, the decision was difficult to argue against.
Lyon slowly nodded as he listened to everyone's choices.
Zesher could almost see the calculations taking place behind his eyes.
Eventually, Lyon grinned.
"I'm glad none of us are repeating paths."
He gestured between them.
"We've already got a powerful support and ranged damage dealer, a veritable tank, and an assassin capable of dealing with priority targets."
Lyon leaned back.
"For a team thrown together less than a day ago, we're actually looking pretty good."
Zesher nodded.
Derrick and Alicia did the same.
There was still one obvious question remaining.
"So, am I correct in assuming you'll follow the Strategist Path?"
Lyon looked toward him.
Zesher continued.
"You clearly have the talent for it. Honestly, your ability to analyze people and combat styles has already surprised me several times."
Derrick looked over curiously.
Even Alicia seemed interested in Lyon's answer.
"Actually..."
Lyon smiled.
"You'd be wrong."
Zesher blinked.
"I don't intend to follow the Strategist Path at all."
For perhaps the hundredth time that day, Zesher found himself stunned.
Lyon continued before anyone could interrupt.
"I can fill the strategist role for now, but eventually we'll need someone else to take over that responsibility."
Zesher couldn't understand it.
Someone with Lyon's obvious talent was willingly abandoning a cultivation path that seemed almost perfectly suited to him.
Judging by Derrick and Alicia's expressions, neither could they.
Lyon apparently noticed their confusion.
His grin widened.
"No need to look so surprised."
He leaned forward, excitement appearing in his green eyes.
"The path I'm going to follow..."
Zesher instinctively focused.
Lyon's smile became almost predatory.
"...is the Warcrock Path."