"Well! I see there are some calm powers here, ah ah ah. It's no big deal about the sphere, there are others more efficient that I could order," declared Professor Zemus, laughing loudly.
"Now that you know a bit more about the abilities and power of your classmates, let's move on to a broader study of the characteristics linked to their races. To understand these characteristics, we will focus on what we call 'stats'," announced the professor as he activated a crystal in his hand, which clearly served as a remote control for the giant mana screen.
On the screen appeared the luminous silhouette of a humanoid figure, with several inscriptions displayed on the right side.
"Every creature, whether races, animals, or even monsters, possesses what we call 'stats'. These stats determine the relative power of each being and allow us to compare them with one another. Imagine them as the building blocks of a creature's power and abilities."
"One of you could tell me how many stats exist in a being?" asked the professor.
"Yes, Miss Erina," he said, choosing her after seeing her raise her hand.
"There are seven stats in total: energy reserve, strength, resistance, ability multipliers, speed, agility, and finally psyche," she answered confidently.
"Got to admit, she knows a lot," whispered Arwyna to another elf while staring at Erina.
"Excellent answer, Miss Erina. I won't ask you to memorize everything on the first day. Some of you may already know what stats are and their importance in combat, while others may have never needed to know until now. Still, I think a quick reminder would be useful," declared the professor with a kind smile.
"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.
"Each race, please group together. Mister Areyos, you will not be counted. Same for you, Mister Klaus. You might disrupt the general analysis of the class."
Quickly, the different groups formed. Clear confidence could be seen on the faces of the Metaryons, while fear was visible on the faces of the other races. Each of the four races originally had one hundred students, for a total of four hundred. However, the number of humans and Metaryons was slightly reduced because Klaus and Areyos had been excluded from the analysis. This brought each of those two groups down to ninety-nine students.
"Very well, I will now begin the analysis. I will scan all the groups, then we will see together which stats each race excels in. This will allow you all to adapt your fighting style according to the type of opponent you face."
The professor started the analysis and silence fell over the training area. All the students had their eyes fixed on the giant mana screen as the professor swept the crystal in front of them.
"Many of them look stressed," noted Yoko.
"It's only normal. As Metaryons, we don't really realize it, but we have many advantages compared to the other races, and they seem to have understood that. So they're fearing the worst," argued Kaiser.
"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 will think fire is dangerous because you told him so. But it's only when he actually gets burned that he truly realizes 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 actual combat that they might truly realize it."
"I understand better now," replied Yoko as her eyes scanned the stressed faces of the students.
"Perfect, the analysis is complete. We can 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?!?!" exclaimed the Metaryons, 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 to this extent," Yoko said in astonishment.
"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 seem that surprised," said Yoko.
"I am, it's just that..." He stopped and looked at me in the distance.
"Things would be different if he was included," he added while still looking at me.
"Ahh, yes, that's true. Too bad he wasn't counted as a Metaryon," said Yoko, also looking at me.
"Well, I didn't think the Metaryons would rank so low, ah ah," laughed an Aegyl while looking at Troy.
"They got too cocky," added Corvus, closing his eyes with a serious expression.
"Don't celebrate too early, there are still six stats left, you bastards," Troy replied angrily.
"Silence!" shouted the professor. "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.
"Does that really surprise you? You don't reach these stats by being vegan or monks," mocked Troy and his friends, making the other Metaryons laugh.
"Hey! Not all elves are vegans!" shouted one elf.
"And not all Aegyls are monks either, you bastard!" yelled an Aegyl.
"Say what you want, 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, ah ah ah."
While everyone was throwing jabs at each other, the humans remained particularly quiet, fear written on their faces. Which was understandable since they were last in three different stats. When I looked up, I noticed two people on the balcony of the training area. 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 overall analyses so far. But there are three intriguing students, and one of them appears to be a hybrid," replied Hilda.
"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 some 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? Hmm... So you adopted a son, Barrios," I thought while 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 classes," I said, crossing eyes with that student who was clearly kept apart because of his peculiarities.
"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 while looking at the sky.
"Let's move on to the next stats," shouted the professor.
**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?" asked a human.
"What?! They're first in this category but they don't even know what it is," mocked Troy.
"If I were him, I wouldn't mock that," I thought.
"Well, psyche is essentially the energy source used for non-physical techniques. It also plays a role in non-physical characteristics like the ability to see spirits, for example. It protects the user mentally. For instance, it allows the user to protect themselves from psychic powers such as blood control, mind control, or even bone control, provided they have more psychic energy than their attacker. It is by far the most important stat, and if your psychic energy falls below a certain threshold, you will faint."
"Uh... and if it is completely exhausted?" asked Arwyna.
"That would mean your mind is destroyed, and therefore you die," said the professor.
"Psychic powers all use psyche if I understood correctly, professor?" asked Yoko.
"Exactly. Whether it's astral projection, spirit manipulation, mystical 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 transition, change the nature of their chi to use another element. Race transformations also require a certain manipulation of one's own energy system. And all of this is only possible thanks to psyche."
"Race transformations?" asked a human.
"Yes, humans have no race transformations, which is why you may have never heard of them. The other races can reach higher levels of power by transforming," explained the professor.
"Wait, professor! Are you saying humans have a better chance of mastering bone control if they have earth elemental chi??" asked Arwyna.
"That's correct," said the professor with a smile.
"Moreover, 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 it's by having higher psychic power that one survives against someone who masters bone control," murmured Arwyna.
"Let's move on to practice now, if you don't mind," said Professor Zemus.
"An Aegyl versus a Metaryon. Mister Corvus against..." The professor stopped while searching among the students for Corvus's opponent.
"Please not me, please not me, please not me," Yoko repeated quickly, crossing her fingers with her eyes closed.
"Mister Troy!"
From his expression, it was clear Troy didn't want to be chosen, especially now that he knew what to expect when facing an Aegyl — and especially this Aegyl, Corvus.
Troy Rocklander's Point of View
-------------------------------------
"Shit... why did it have to be me... I'm gonna get wrecked... this guy is 5th in the class after all," I thought. "But if I can land a good punch in the right spot, that should do it," I thought again while sweating.
I could hear the students whispering and mocking me. But that was the least of my concerns… In front of me stood Corvus, piercing me with his gaze.
"Professor Zemus, can I go to the bathroom quickly? 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 stood there staring at me without saying a word. There was no doubt — he was determined to skin me alive.
"You can't fool me," said the professor.
"Let the duel begin!" he added.
I concentrated my fire chi in my right hand and then launched a torrent of fire 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 directed at 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 around and sent a second torrent of fire with my left hand this time. He dodged again by shifting to my right and created a lightning orb in his left hand before charging at me. I quickly created an earth wall between him and me, but it was useless. He shattered my wall and I took the orb directly to the face, which sent me flying far away. I landed on the ground after bouncing several times. 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 the 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 said to 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 afraid I don't quite understand," Arwyna told me.
"What Mr. Kaiser means is that the techniques a fighter uses most become more powerful with the same amount of energy. If two firebenders 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 ability multiplier for his earthbending, he has no chance of surviving this attack..." Yoko understood.
"You can give up. Given the combo he just did, that lightning he's been charging for a while is most likely an attack he uses often," I said seriously.
"But then why is he charging it so much? It's been almost two minutes," asked Arwyna.
"Maybe he's looking for an opening," said Yoko.
"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, avoid underestimating the Aegyls," Corvus said in a calm and cold tone 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 needs to be taken to the infirmary," said the professor 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 said to Yoko.
"Pray that you and I never meet," I said to Corvus, looking him straight in the eyes.
"A budding rivalry, how interesting," said the professor, stroking his beard as he watched us.
"Rivalry? Excuse me, professor, 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 pathetic weakling?" Corvus asked, clearly angered by what I had just said.
"I mean that if we were to fight, 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 same moment, a red glow emanated from my eyes, turning the golden color of my irises into a vivid red, leaving only a thin golden line directly surrounding my pupil.
"Kaiser? What's happening to you?" Yoko asked, frightened.
Corvus hesitated for a moment but still charged at me.
"No! Young man! Get out of his field of vision!!!!" shouted a tall, muscular man with a large sword on his back, arriving from afar with a box in his arm. Corvus quickly shifted to his right, leaving only his left wing in my field of vision. A vertical golden line crossed my right iris from top to bottom. I then 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. It was only when I raised my head and saw, with my left eye, a vertical slash on the far wall surrounding the training area. I looked around and saw the horror in everyone's eyes. But their gazes weren't on me — they were on Corvus.
"He... he sliced off one of his wings..." Arwyna said, shocked.
"What the...? Did I do that?..." I said, extremely confused.
"Hey kid, you okay?" said the big man from earlier 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.
"In the meantime, we need to stop the bleeding," said the mysterious man.
"Kaiser, are you okay?" Yoko asked me.
"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 then 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," said the tall man 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!" said Yoko, shaking the commander's hand with stars in her eyes.
"Ah ah ah, nice to meet you, Miss Yoko," he said with a smile.
"What is my old friend doing here?" said the professor, smiling.
"Old friend?!" the class exclaimed in surprise.
"How are you, Zemus?" asked Dante.
"Well, as shaken as you can see. This is by far the most complicated class I've had since the time we trained recruits in the army," replied the professor while shaking Dante's hand.
"Ah ah ah, 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, the Sword Eye of Kaiser."
"The Kengan? So it's not a myth?" exclaimed the professor.
"What is it?" I asked the 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," said the commander to the professor.
"Thank you, Dante. Take care," replied the professor as the commander left.
"We've seen enough for a first day of class," said the professor with a sigh.
"We'll meet again the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, go pick up your uniforms at 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 of every fight you have in the future. Also, you should look for weapons that suit you for the rest of the year. We will learn to use them properly and there will even be duels. We will now conclude the lesson. Mister Kaiser Mendoris, Mister Areyos Mendoris, and Mister Klaus Varray. Please come forward. We will analyze you a second time."
|Analysis Results:|
| Name: Kaiser Mendoris
System of Energy: Ki, Chi, and Chakra
Race: Metaryon
Active Natures: Earthbending, Metalbending, Firebending, Lavabending, and Lightningbending
Other Abilities: Dōkō: Kengan, Ninjutsu |
| Name: Areyos Orionis
System of Energy: Ki, Chi, and Chakra
Race: Devas + ??????
Active Natures: Waterbending, Icebending, Earthbending, Firebending, Lightningbending, and Healing
Other: Dōkō: ??????????, Ninjutsu |
| Name: Klaus Varray
System of Energy: Chi and Chakra
Race: Devas
Active Natures: Waterbending, Earthbending, Firebending, Airbending, Shadow, and Gravity
Other: Clones, Intangibility |
To be continued…