The students of the catastrophe class leave their isolated classroom.
While going to the combat gym, they pass by other classrooms. The normal students gawk at the infamous students of the catastrophe class.
"Hey, aren't those the catastrophe students?"
"Wait, don't tell me they're going to fight again?"
"Look at that guy! That's Dante Zeiss, right?"
"That's Vergil Angelo! The sole heir to the Angelo family! Gods, he's so cool!"
Thankfully, the students of the catastrophe class are accustomed to these situations. Even before they were enrolled in the catastrophe class, they were always surrounded by people that either gossiped or outright harassed them because of their uniqueness.
Dante takes a glance at the normal classes.
Tsk, most of them are normal. These first years have will that's so much lower than mine. I guess what that dumb professor said was true. These people are too weak to live alongside us monsters.
Dante gives his classmates a long look. He specifically looks at Price Versi, Vergil Angelo, Sufian Crone, Selena Woreset, and Steve Ephraim.
These four... these four are the most dangerous in the class... I need to be stronger than them.
While Dante was thinking of the possibilities of fighting these four students, Selena was lightly whistling.
Fight~ Fight~ Fight~ Gonna Fight~
She was obviously in a good mood.
Stevie had to summon the strength to walk to the combat gym.
Sleepy...
Suzaku sighs as he helps his teammate. While supporting Steve, Suzaku was internally panicking.
I hope that Price doesn't come for me... he can just focus on Steve...
Price kept looking at Stevie. His bald head had some pulsing veins as he thought of something that made him angry.
Me? Weaker than that slob? I'd agree if it was Vergil... he's the heir to an extremely powerful family and trained every second of his life. But this Steve?? I will crush him like a bug.
Vergil was studying his classmates. In his home, power is, was, and will always be right.
One must be strong or else they will be trampled and lose what is precious to them. Vergil's thoughts go to his uncle who lost his beloved to a stronger individual.
Such a loss, I must never experience it.
Sufian sighed as he imagined having to fight again. Sufian sensed Dante, Selena, and Vergil studying him. He imperceptibly shook his head.
Those three are looking at me like I'm some freshman girl that's an easy game...
Sufian sighs. Having no choice in the matter, Sufian decides to think about how to deal with them.
My will is closest to Vergil... he probably wants to test himself against me. Dante is just like Vergil, a son of a powerful family, so he'll try to fight me as well if he has the opportunity...
Sufian looks at Selena who is happily talking to Vera.
She's a war freak too... I don't want to fight... Father Nerus please have mercy upon your child.
Vera, despite having her own teammates, is actively talking to Selena.
Awww, I can't team up with Selena... Well, at least Price will give a good show when we face off against Steve and... what's-his-name.
The class travels to the combat gym which was built underground due to the planned size. If it was built on the surface, it would have taken too much space.
The group enters the combat gym which houses a large space that can simulate multiple buildings inside it, up to a max of 5 stories.
The poorer members of the catastrophe class oohs and aahs at the size of the combat gym and its technological marvels.
Looking around, the students of the catastrophe class notice other students from other classes here but they have their own space as to not disturb other classes.
Once the Catastrophe class entered its own space, Giles addresses the class.
"Okay class, we're in the combat gym, our school's own simulator for combat-related practice... Don't worry about any damage you deal here as the dean's ingrained energy protects this place from any permanent damage. The simulated buildings are also made out of energy which just dissipates when destroyed. In addition, once you're inside any lethal damage will immediately teleport you out so do not worry about dying. Our academy has the ability to heal any of your wounds. Even if you're decapitated, we can still bring you back."
Giles' last sentence made the war freaks of the class excited. For them, it only meant one thing, they didn't need to hold back. Unfortunately, the other more normal members of the class felt grim.
Giles goes to a machine stationed outside of the combat zone. After pulling out an instruction book, he inputs the commands needed to create a building complex.
While waiting for their teacher, the class starts to group up. Vera unfortunately has to say goodbye to Selena. Seth tries to approach Moriah to wish her luck but his shyness prevents him from doing so. Livia, on the other hand, is not as shy and she approaches Moriah to wish her good luck on her combat simulation.
Dante and Selena sit near a wall and watch Giles prepare the combat area. Dante takes a few glances at Selena every once in a while. Dante's thoughts drift to Selena's personality.
A battle pervert... but I can't help but respect her single-mindedness.
Selena's thoughts, however, are completely focused on assessing her classmates.
Dante's easy enough to deal with. I just need to reach my first state and I'll completely dumpster him... Wait... he's my teammate, so I can't fight him... drats... Price is a bit strong but the same with Dante, I just need to reach my first state. Sufian and Vergil are a bit more dangerous... they're users of aspects so they're very strong... Livia has an aspect as well but her will is too low to pose any real danger, I just need to avoid her actual aspect power... Her shield is pretty tough though... it managed to withstand sir Ivor's attack, although he was still holding back.
"Selena."
Dante calls Selena but she's too focused on her thoughts to respond.
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"Selena."
Selena's mind wanders off as Dante tries to get her attention.
"Class, attention upfront."
The class returns to silence as Giles calls their attention. Even Selena, who was ignoring Dante, returns to reality. After all, Giles was the only one who could fulfill her fighting fantasy.
"I did a small lottery for you guys so I know who'll fight who."
Pausing for effect, Giles continues.
"The first group that's entering the simulation is group 1."
Knowing their group number, Cieran, and Nicholas both scream.
"Wooh!"
"Let's do this!"
Anne, who is still tired from her earlier use of powers, releases a sigh of exasperation.
I'm either really unlucky or sir Ivor has it out for me.
Giles looks at his list.
"Oh yeah. Anne, you still can't use your unique power."
Anne tiredly nods.
He really has it out for me.
Before Anne could sulk, she feels an arm go over her shoulder.
"It'll be fine! We'll cover for you!"
She turns and sees Nicholas smiling brightly at her. Cieran simply nods when she looks at him. Cieran does his best to offer some comfort.
"Yeah, we'll keep you safe. Just focus on recovering and do your best. Nicholas and I will carry you."
Anne feels a bit better as she's comforted by her teammates.
Giles then checks his list. The class seems to be half-excited and half-nervous.
"Okay, the group that'll be fighting group 1 will be group 5."
Ben, who's been itching to prove himself, roars in excitement.
Moriah and Nemerah are getting to know each other while the sole male in the group is pumping himself up.
"Are you two not excited?!"
Moriah replies.
"Hmmm, not so much. You've seen their strength. They're not much. This was an unlucky match for them."
Ben scoffs at Moriah's words.
"So? This is finally the time we can prove ourselves. I haven't even shown the class what I can do."
Moriah retorts.
"It's because you didn't even try to fight sir Ivor when we attacked him together."
Ben rolls his eyes.
"Oh please, didn't you get knocked out in a few hits?"
Moriah's eyes start to glow red.
"At least I had the bravery to step forward, unlike a certain overgrown reptile."
Before the two could continue bickering, Nemerah steps in between them. With a calm and soothing voice, Nemerah does her best to soothe the two.
"~~Please guys~~ don't fight ~~ We're teammates, after all."
The two look at Nemerah's calm smile and they're slowly placated. Moriah shrugs.
"Well if you say so Nem."
Nemerah chuckles at Moriah's nickname for her.
Ben stops talking to Moriah and focuses on the upcoming fight.
Giles finishes setting up the combat area.
"Group 1 and 5, come to the front and stand on the teleportation pads."
The two groups come to the front and step on the pads, sizing each other up.
Anne regulates her breathing while Cieran and Nicholas stand in front of her.
Ben studies his enemies. Moriah watches Giles, interested in her teacher's strength. Nemerah is just enjoying the underground area.
Aware that his students are ready for combat, Giles reveals the combat area.
"Now that our fighters are here, time to see our fighting area."
Giles inputs a code on the machine. The combat zone reveals itself as a huge school with enough rooms to house 500 or more students.
The poorer members of the class are amazed by the technology they're seeing.
A school scenario huh? Well, RNG really is weird.
Giles turns to the class.
"Now that we know the area, we need to set up the objectives."
The two groups look at Giles.
"Objectives sir Ivor?"
Anne asks Giles.
"Yes... some of you have noticed that you have blatant power differences."
The class agrees.
"Well, power isn't always the determinant of a successful combat situation nor is higher will rating the sole reason one will win."
Giles clicks a button on the control panel which reveals a hologram. The hologram revealed 3 colored balls.
Each ball had a number written on it from 1 to 3.
"Each ball has an equivalent amount of points and as you can see it ranges from 1 to 3. Now, the two groups will be either a defender or an attacker. Each defender will have 1 ball. The attackers have to find the balls or simply defeat their opponent. Defeating an enemy gives you a point."
Ben raises his hand.
Giles nods.
"So, if I defeat all three and get their balls, I can get a total of 9 points?"
"Yes, the balls in total are worth 6 points while each defender is worth 1 point."
Anne raises her hand.
"Yeah, Anne?"
"How do we get points, sir?"
"You just need to survive holding on those balls. Getting knocked out or incapacitated constitutes a loss. You do not need to bring the ball with you but if the round ends and you do not have the ball, you do not have any points. Also, should the enemy group be eliminated, each member of the remaining group will get 1 point. So if someone gets all the balls and defeats all the enemies, they can theoretically get 10 points."
Anne nods, satisfied.
"So as defenders, you can opt to avoid fights while the round runs its course."
Moriah frowns.
"Aren't we at a disadvantage sir? They start with points already."
Giles shrugs.
"You are correct Moriah but you have no choice. Sometimes, the situation forces you to be at a disadvantage."
Moriah clicks her tongue but she says nothing else.
"Now, some of you might think that this is a waste of time but as teacher of the Catastrophe class, I have a lot of pull when it comes to the school's reward system."
The class's attention perks up at the mention of the reward system.
Unlike most schools, which focus mostly on teaching, prestigious and wealthy schools like Calloren academy have the resources to create incentives that allow their students to push beyond their limitations and reach higher levels.
Calloren academy's reward system is just like that, the ultimate incentive.
Activities, assignments, exams, and training sessions have an equivalent amount of points that can be used to exchange items at the academy's indoor store which sells items ranging from books containing basic techniques to powerful items infused by the teachers themselves.
While wealthy individuals like Dante and Vergil would usually ignore these types of things, they couldn't ignore the academy's system. Calloren academy is the home of some of the most powerful individuals in the world thus their system contains a varying amount of items, all of which vary in power and rarity. For all they know, they might get powerful and legendary items from the system if they manage to save up enough points.
"Each point you gain in this activity is equal to 10 points in the shop and for those who aren't interested in the shop, I offer personal tutoring for 150 points."
The mention of that last part sparks interest in the highly talented and privileged students of the class.
Giles smiles when the class is starting to get more excited.
Suzaku raises his hand.
"Sir, doesn't that mean that even if we got maximum points here, we still wouldn't be able to afford the tutoring?"
Giles smiles. He knew that someone would notice it.
Here comes the good part.
"That is true but in addition to the points you get by gaining balls and defeating your enemies, I am adding another rule."
The ones interested in the reward system perk their heads to listen.
"Defeating a 2nd opponent alone will give you 2 points. If you defeat all members of the opposite group without any help from your team, you gain an additional 3 points, upping it to a maximum of 15 points. That's just the right amount needed for personal tutoring."
The strongest of the class look around and look at their peers. It seems a lot of them have started planning their fights.
The students are starting to revise their strategies. Ben and Moriah look at each other and think of how to solo the other team without having to share.
When the class settles down, Giles speaks.
"For fairness, the defenders will be chosen at random."
Giles takes a coin from his pocket. The coin appears to be made out of gold.
"This is for group 1. Heads mean defenders while tails mean attackers."
Giles flicks his fingers and the coin flies upward.
Dante, who comes from a powerful family of infusers, notices that the coin has some power.
An infused item? Why would sir Ivor need to use an infused item for a coin flip?
Despite his confusion, Dante doesn't do anything.
The two groups see the coin and they act.
Anne, who knows the power difference between the two groups, uses a measly amount of her will to flip the coin in their favor.
We need to be the defenders or we're going to lose hard!
Moriah is a strategic person and while she does like combat, she doesn't enjoy it for the thrill of it. She's the type of person who wants to win. She uses her will to overcome Anne's will so the coin falls in their favor.
Giles smiles inwardly.
He's obviously aware of the two groups trying to affect the coin drop but he won't stop them. Controlling your chances is also a part of life. Giles internally smiles.
Being a teacher feels great.
Anne, who feels the greater power of her peer, exerts more will to control the coin but she is quickly overwhelmed.
Cieran, who is watching Anne, suddenly makes his move.
The coin is about to fall in the first group's favor but at the last moment, Moriah releases a portion of her demonic will, allowing her to overwhelm the combined might of the two students.
The coin falls on tails. Group 1 will be the attackers.
Anne curses her weakness. Only now in her moment of weakness, Anne realizes that her lack of will training is working against her.
Giles checks the coin, all the while pretending not to notice what just happened.
"Group 1 will be attackers while Group 5 will be defenders."
The more perceptive members of the class seem surprised by Giles' attitude but it meant that they can do the same during their turns.
"Since group 5 are the defenders, do your best. Whoever is the best performer will get a reward from me."
When Giles says that, the class becomes more excited. Giles then clicks a button and the two groups are teleported within the simulated combat area where they can fight to their heart's content.
Giles smiles at his class while he watches the screens that are displaying his students.
Now... show me what you've got.